Life was like a carnival for most of our year groups this week, with Kindergarten to Year 2 athletic events on Main Oval on Wednesday and all Secondary students and teachers (and me!) out at Sydney Olympic Park for the Years 7 to 12 competition today.
Athletics Carnivals at Pymble are compulsory for good reasons. For some of our girls, this is their day to put all their training and hard work to the test, and to shine. For others, it is a chance to simply ‘have a go’ and see what they are capable of. For all, it is a temporary escape from everyday lessons and an opportunity to celebrate House spirit and a sense of belonging to something bigger than self and your immediate friendship groups. Whether your daughter’s carnival was this week or, for Years 3 to 6, next term, I hope she made the most of these joyful – and important – occasions. At the conclusion of our carnival today, I was saying to the girls that attendance at compulsory events is the first metric I look at when considering Prefect positions!
“What we have learned as Head Prefects” by Emily and Ang-Ya
Believe it or not, we also find ourselves on the cusp of announcing our incoming Year 12 Prefects for 2025/2026. It’s been a year since we introduced you to our current Prefect team, but it seems like only yesterday, as Head Prefects Emily Abadee and Ang-Ya Koo will attest. This week, I asked the girls to share the most valuable lessons they have learned from their time in office to assist our incoming and aspiring student leaders. Over to Emily and Ang-Ya…
The importance of valuing different perspectives. With our large prefect team of around 70 students, we really honed our ability to listen to diverse ideas and bring them together to deliver meaningful initiatives.
One of the challenges we facedwas co-ordinating initiatives that included many different people. Our 2025 theme banner launch in Combined Assembly, for instance, required us to be very organised and communicate clearly to keep everything running smoothly. Thankfully, we always had lots of support from the prefect team and staff – we couldn’t have launched our initiatives without their support!
Meeting so many unique and inspiring people that we never would have met otherwise has been a highlight. We’ve especially loved hearing from strong female voices like the Hon. Bronnie Taylor, Storai Sadat, and the amazing student leaders we’ve met from other schools.
Although it sounds cliché, our best advice for other student leaders is to stay true to yourself! People gravitate towards leaders who are genuine, passionate, and willing to listen. And don’t be afraid to make mistakes or reach out for support, because these are the moments that often help you grow the most.
And for all students, whether you aspire to be leaders or not, we encourage you to embrace all opportunities and get involved no matter how daunting or unfamiliar they may seem. Everyone is a beginner at some point, and you’ll never know what you’re capable of until you give it a go. From our experience, time at Pymble truly flies, so make every minute count.
Emily, Ang-Ya and the current Prefect team have one last ‘Come Alive in 2025’ initiative planned for the first week back in Term 3, after which they will begin their handover to their successors and move into the HSC Trial Examinations period. In the meantime, all our students from K to 12 can look forward to more fun and festivities from our fabulous leadership team as they continue to show up as their best selves in their final term on campus.
From The PPA
What a fabulous night for our parent community! Parents from across the College from K to 12 enjoyed an evening of trivia, prizes, games, fundraising and dancing. Our theme this year was “Time Travel” which inspired incredible creativity in costumes and table decorations.
It was our biggest and most successful Trivia Night with over 280 attendees and $20,000 raised. The funds will go towards staff development programmes, teacher appreciation initiatives and facilities benefiting students.
We had an amazing group of parents on the Trivia Night organising committee who planned the event with much enthusiasm and dedication. The parent community showed wonderful support through generous donations, raffle ticket purchases and bidding on live and silent auction items. We are also very grateful for the generous donations from local businesses.
Special thanks to Dr Hadwen, Mrs Brown and Kurtis Mathews (Head Diving Coach and Olympian) for their fantastic auction contributions. A very special thanks also to Natalie Lowndes and the Community Engagement team for working right alongside us in organising this event and contributing very popular Pymble items for the silent auction.
There was such a great atmosphere at this event and everyone is already looking forward to Trivia Night 2026!
Clued In @ Pymble
This week’s edition of Clued In was created by Catherine Li 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 Sahana Shasidharan: Year 7 Leader
From the Senior School
A message from Patricia Gallardo, Acting Head of Senior School
The cold weather has certainly set in — winter has arrived! We hope you all had the chance to enjoy some family time over the long weekend.
As the temperatures drop, we remind families of the importance of staying warm and looking after their health. If students are feeling unwell, it’s best they rest and recover at home to ensure they can fully engage in learning when they return. A day of rest supports their wellbeing and helps protect the health of our entire school community.
With the change in seasons, we also ask students and families to ensure uniforms are worn correctly and with pride. Skirt lengths should align with school expectations, and jerseys should not be worn as the outer layer when travelling to and from school. Year 12 students must wear a blazer over their jersey. Thank you for your support in maintaining these standards.
Annual Wrap with Love Knit-In – Friday 13 June
We look forward to welcoming you to our annual Knit-In tomorrow, Friday 13 June. The Wrap With Love organisation has held a special place in the heart of the Senior School for over 15 years. We are proud of the many knitted squares contributed each year by our students and their families, all helping to bring warmth and comfort to those in need.
If you have not yet responded, you are still very welcome — please arrive at the Senior School Office where we will sign you in.
Senior School’s Sir David Martin Foundation Week
Inspired by one of our Year 12 students, Ellie Hennessey’s, role as a member of the Youth Advisory Group for the Sir David Martin Foundation, the Senior School has chosen to support this important cause during The Senior School’s Sir David Martin Foundation Week, running from Friday, 13 June to Thursday, 19 June.
The Sir David Martin Foundation is dedicated to helping young Australians in crisis by providing support for youth experiencing drug and alcohol addiction. As the major funder of Mission Australia’s Triple Care Farm, the foundation helps young people aged 16-24 access specialised treatment, including detox, rehabilitation, and life skills training. Through these programs, the foundation works to give vulnerable youth safety, hope, and opportunity to create a brighter future.
We look forward to participating in activities that raise awareness and contribute to this important mission. The Senior School Leaders, along with Ellie, have organised a variety of events for senior students to participate in throughout the week, including initiatives to raise funds to assist with Mission Australia’s Triple Care Farm. More details are in the poster below.
Nourish and Flourish from Mr Heggie, Acting Deputy Head of Senior School
Get ready to warm your soul and fuel your body next Friday, 20 June (Week 8), with our Nourish and Flourish initiative! We’re serving up hearty, wholesome chicken soup and bread — made with fresh, nutritious ingredients — to inspire healthier habits and show how simple, delicious choices can make a big impact.
This initiative is all about encouraging you to nourish and flourish in a way that’s satisfying and full of flavour. So come along, grab a bowl, and let your lunch do something good for you. Orders can be made through Flexischools.
Yr 12 Geography Excursion.
Day One: Kooragang Wetlands, Ash Island
Our excursion began with a visit to the Kooragang Wetlands on Ash Island. As we were guided through the wetlands, we learned practical fieldwork techniques, including using turbidity tubes, pH testers, and thermometers, helping us learn the different natural systems influencing the functioning of the wetlands.
We spent the day collecting data on water quality, temperature, and topography, applying the skills we had learned in class to a real-world context. We examined the four interrelated systems that influence natural environments: geomorphic, ecological, hydrological, and atmospheric. As we walked through the wetlands, we learned about the natural formation of Ash Island and discussed how human activity, both past and present, has shaped the environment. It was especially inspiring to hear about the current rehabilitation programs, which aim to restore the delicate wetland ecosystem and promote biodiversity.
The day ended on a high note with a shared three-course dinner. Sitting together and reflecting on our day gave us the chance to consolidate what we had learned, discuss our observations, and relax after a day of hands-on exploration.
Day Two: Viticulture and Regional Studies
After waking up to a delicious buffet breakfast at the hotel, we set off for Tamburlaine Winery, where we had a tour through the vineyards learning about the sustainability practices of the global Viticulture and wine making industry. Our host at the winery guided us through the intricacies of viticulture. We were fascinated by their innovative approaches to sustainability, including their recent introduction of lightweight plastic wine bottles designed to reduce environmental impact. It was a powerful example of how tradition and innovation can work hand in hand to support environmental responsibility.
Later in the day, we visited the Hunter Valley Visitor Centre, where we investigated the social, economic, and political interconnections that shape the region of Cessnock. Exploring the regional dynamics in person allowed us to apply our classroom learning to the case study. We gained a deeper appreciation of how regional communities function within broader systems, from tourism and agriculture to environmental management and infrastructure planning.
Overall, the excursion was a great opportunity to see how what we’ve learned in class connects to the real world. From studying the natural systems of the Kooragang Wetlands to exploring sustainable farming practices and regional development in the Hunter Valley, we gained valuable insights into the way environments and communities interact. It was also a chance to spend time together outside the classroom, ask questions, and experience geography in a practical way that made the content engaging and memorable.
24 September – Year 12 Picnic Clontarf – Students only
25 September – Graduation Assembly – Students Only
26 September – Year 12 Speech Day, Farewell Chapel
26 September – Valedictory Dinner
Patricia Gallardo
Acting Head of Senior School
From the Upper School
A message from Victoria Harrison, Head of Upper School
The Upper School leaders ran an assembly this week for Year 9 and 10, focusing on diversity and encouraging everyone to reflect on how they acknowledge and include different perspectives in their year group. Over the first half of the year, we’ve been working together on various initiatives to help connect Upper School students, including launching the Upper School Update, a student magazine. It is always a good time for all of us to think about how we can recognise and support diversity within our school community and consider ways we can be more inclusive in our everyday interactions.
The 2025 Pymble Athletics carnival was held at Homebush today. It was great to see the girls getting involved in the events and showing awesome House spirit. We look forward to sharing more photos next week.
Digital Skills, Safety and Resilience
Academic staff this week heard from Yasmin London, a Digital Safety Expert & CEO of The Digital Fluency Group. Her advice on digital resilience and online safety is especially relevant when considering the impact of exclusion in peer groups for girls. Research shows that around 21% of young people aged 8–17 in Australia have experienced social exclusion online, with girls often particularly affected by toxic online behaviours such as exclusion, gossip and cyberbullying. This can seriously impact their wellbeing, self-esteem and sense of belonging.
Yasmin advocates for building digital resilience and open communication, rather than simply banning social media or technology. Her approach encourages girls to develop the skills to recognise and respond to exclusion, misinformation and harmful online dynamics. By setting clear expectations, fostering trust and encouraging young people to talk openly about what’s happening online, parents and carers can help girls feel more confident to seek support when they experience exclusion or negative peer interactions. We encourage parents to have open conversations with their daughters about how they communicate with their peers, both online and offline.
We are committed to continually researching best practices to support our wellbeing curriculum and, in partnership with families, we will continue to help empower our girls with strategies to manage relationships. Promoting a culture where they support one another and know how to seek help if needed is key.
Navigating the online world as a parent is complex. Look out for an upcoming opportunity for Pymble parents to hear from Yasmin London; in the interim, it is very worthwhile to have a closer look at the advice she provides for parents and young people to stay safe.
Student achievements
Congratulations to the following girls for their success in recent competitions: Tara Sproules-Nath, who achieved a high distinction award in the Australian Science Innovations Big Science competition. A great accomplishment and testament to her hard work and commitment to her studies.
In Languages, several Upper School students recently participated in the Australian Computational and Linguistics Olympiad (OzCLO), which is an exciting team-based national competition that challenges students to solve fascinating puzzles in real languages. Students work together in teams of four on a range of analytical problems. Congratulations to Bella Yang, Alexa Wu, Chloe Shao, Celine Cai, Sarah Quan, Nicole Fan, Erica Kwok, Alina Shi, Estelle Lee, Harriet Gregory, Sophie Guo, Sophia Chen.
Year 10 into 11 Subject Selection evening
The Year 10 into 11 Subject Selection Evening is an important opportunity for students to explore the wide range of subjects available in 2026 and to begin shaping their senior years with intention and purpose. We encourage all students to take the time to carefully consider their subject choices, reflecting on both their interests and future aspirations. It’s vital to seek support and advice from the curriculum and wellbeing teams, who are here to help you make informed decisions. As you navigate this process, please keep in mind good and not-so-good reasons to choose a subject.
Key Dates – Term 2
Secondary School Ensemble Concert (Term 2) – Tuesday 24 June
Boarders’ Travel Day – Friday 27 June
LAST DAY of TERM 2 – Friday 27 June
Victoria Harrison
Head of Upper School
From the Middle School
Welcome to Week 7 in Middle School. As we head out to Olympic Park today, we look forward to sharing some great results with you next week. Thank you to all our Middle School families who managed to get their daughters to the College for a 7am start this morning. No easy feat on these cold mornings! The girls were full of enthusiasm as they headed off on the buses, ready for a day of fun and camaraderie.
I wanted to acknowledge all the families who have expressed interest in hosting our visiting students from Milingimbi next term. We have been overwhelmed by your generosity. This is such a unique opportunity and your support is greatly appreciated. At this point, we only need four families to take on the responsibility for billeting the girls but the remainder of the volunteers will be kept in reserve just in case. The Middle School will be in touch with further details.
On Tuesday at lunchtime, the girls enjoyed the Gloucester Gathering, which invited everyone to get involved and enjoy decorating their own fairy bread! Please encourage your daughters to attend these gatherings for the remaining Tuesdays and Thursdays as these community events are always lots of fun.
From the Year 7 Parent Co-ordinator
All Year 7 parents are warmly invited to join in a very relaxed evening to catch up over a drink at the Burns house in Turramurra. Come for the whole time or just drop in when it suits, we look forward to seeing you!
Jenny O’Donnell
Head of Middle School
From the Junior School
Kindness in Our Community
Today, four of our Year 5 Kindness Captains Charlotte, Sofiyah, Kate and Ellie were fortunate to attend the Children’s Kindness Convention co-hosted by Mosman Prep and Queenwood. This is the fourth year of the Convention and we are very proud of how it is now being hosted by other schools both in Sydney and interstate as it was something Pymble initiated to bring Year 5 students together to think of ways kindness can lead change in our world. Author Deborah Abela who wrote The Kindness Project surprised the children by coming to the Convention and giving them feedback on the initiatives they came up with throughout the day.
Over the last four years, approximately 500 Year 5 students have come together through the Conventions to ideate solutions for social/environmental issues they see in the world and to plan ways to advocate for positive change.
Windows into Learning
Tomorrow, we are thrilled to welcome our Year 2 families to our “Windows into Learning” event. The girls will be actively engaging in a reading activity alongside their parents, followed by an insightful spelling lesson focusing on the ‘oy’ and ‘oi’ digraphs, both making the /oy/ sound. To conclude their “Windows into Learning” experience, our Year 2 girls will enjoy a book during ‘crunch and sip’, before delving into their Maths lesson where they’ll explore the connection between arrays and finding the area of quadrilaterals.
K-2 Athletics Carnival
A huge congratulations to all our Kindergarten to Year 2 girls who showcased their vibrant Pymble spirit at their Athletics Carnival yesterday! The girls ran, jumped, and threw with boundless enthusiasm. Their incredible encouragement of one another and the sheer courage they displayed in ‘having a go’ were truly commendable. We’re extremely proud of every single one of them.
Podcasts Are Coming!
We’ve heard your feedback loud and clear! We’re excited to announce that we are looking to create podcasts or short videos that reflect the rich learning shared through our Parent Academic and Wellbeing Series. To kick things off, we are currently producing a podcast that delves into the profound power of sport and ‘risky play’ on children’s academic, social, and emotional development. We’ll be sharing the link to this inaugural podcast with you all in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
Introducing the DREAM Diploma
Next year, with the highly anticipated opening of our new Year 5 and 6 learning areas, we are thrilled to be introducing the DREAM Diploma. In partnership with Cambridge, this innovative initiative will offer our girls unique academic, social, and emotional challenges throughout Years 5 and 6 as they work towards achieving this special ‘Diploma’.
The Diploma is founded on five core concepts:
DARE: Dare to seek out challenge and hold yourselves accountable for your learning journey.
REACH: Reach as high as you can and push yourselves beyond your comfort zone.
EXPERIENCE: Experience a diverse range of activities that are new, exciting, or sometimes even a little daunting.
ADVOCATE: Advocate for the things that truly matter to you and take meaningful steps to be a change-maker.
MASTER: Master new skills by working tenaciously on the goals you set for yourself.
Our partnership with Cambridge will significantly enhance the girls’ global-mindedness through research and exploration of the United Nations Global Sustainability Goals. Other exciting new opportunities will include an engineering challenge thoughtfully designed by our Head of STEM, increased chances for advocacy and service, and some very engaging short-term workshops led by our dedicated Year 6 teachers.
Through their DREAM Diploma journey, we genuinely hope the girls will see themselves as true agents of their own learning. Our aim is for them to leave the Diploma program with a profound sense of purpose and determination, ready to continue driving their learning journey as they transition into Middle School.
We would love to invite parent feedback on the Dream Diploma as we continue to work towards the launch of this exciting program next year. A portal notice will be shared in the coming days for parents to register their interest in participating in focus groups.
Pyjama Day
Earlier this term, some incredibly passionate Year 6 girls approached me with a heartfelt plea: to advocate for the re-tuning of the piano at Bowden Brae Nursing Home. The girls beautifully explained how much they loved playing music for the elders, but that the piano was desperately in need of repair and tuning. Demonstrating incredible initiative, the girls already had a plan! They would organise a fundraising day, working with the SRC, to make it a special Pyjama Day for the whole school.
I am so very proud to share that, thanks to their efforts, the girls have collectively raised an outstanding $1195! This fantastic sum will be donated to tune the piano and provide engaging games and resources for the girls to use with the elders at Bowden Brae.
A huge well done to Tessie, Natalie, Sana, Candice, Isabella, Lena, Anaiya, Eadie, Sunny and Summer for your fabulous advocacy and genuine kindness towards the Bowden Brae elders.
Here’s what some of them had to say:
Natalie: “It was important to us to have the piano tuned as the elders love hearing music and it makes them feel happy.”
Summer: “I love going to Bowden Brae and building friendships and connections with the elders so this was really important to me.”
Candice: “Someday we will all be old, and I know simple acts of kindness like this make a difference and also hopefully inspire future generations.”
Anaiya: “The music from the piano will give the elders joy and something to look forward to.”
Sana: “A small action like this can have a big impact on other people. It was important to me to get people to join us to make a difference.”
Tessie: “At Pymble, we are focused on respect, and I think this is important to show respect and kindness to the elders of Bowden Brae.”
Good Luck, Hindson Chamber Strings!
Our talented Hindson Chamber Strings ensemble is competing in an Eisteddfod next Monday, 16 June, and we wish them all the very best of luck with their performance! I was incredibly lucky to listen to their rehearsal last week, and they sounded absolutely sensational. Honestly, if I closed my eyes, I would have thought I was listening to our Secondary students playing together – they are truly outstanding.
Around the Grounds
A Message from Our Kindness Captains
From Sooin, Nouvelle, Christina, and Isabella, our Year 5 Kindness Captains:
We’ve now achieved 2687 acts of service, and we’re still going strong! We’re so excited to announce that we are now challenging ourselves to complete a whopping 5000 acts of service as a Junior School. Get ready to help us reach our goal!
A Message from Matt Tyson, Head of Sport K-6
Last week, I had the privilege of speaking with parents about the important topic of Sport and Risky Play, highlighting the myriad benefits these activities have on the holistic development of children. Among the various areas of growth that sport profoundly influences, two stand out in particular: the cultivation of confidence and resilience in our school-aged children.
Engaging in sports provides children with invaluable opportunities to set and achieve goals, bravely overcome challenges, and experience both the exhilaration of success and the lessons of failure within a supportive and encouraging environment. These experiences contribute significantly to building robust self-confidence, as children learn what they are truly capable of and gain positive recognition from their peers and coaches. Furthermore, the often unpredictable nature of sport inherently teaches resilience; children must adapt to setbacks, persist through difficulty, and develop essential coping strategies when things don’t go exactly as planned.
Ultimately, consistent participation in sport deeply encourages children to believe in themselves and to confidently bounce back from adversity. This lays a strong foundation for personal growth and a positive self-concept that extends well beyond the playing field and into all aspects of their lives.
Please feel free to reach out to Mr Matt Tyson, Head of Sport K-6mtyson@pymblec.nsw.edu.au for more information on how to get your daughter involved with Sport at Pymble.
A Message from Rachel Kingsell, K-6 PDHPE Co-ordinator
Our Health lessons this term for Year 3 and 4 have been focusing on introducing the wonderful Butterfly Body Bright program. Developed by the Butterfly Foundation, this program aims to foster a positive sense of body image and self-esteem in our girls, while encouraging them to appreciate and celebrate their bodies and all that they do. It’s truly helping to build body confidence and a genuine appreciation for each girl’s unique body.
Throughout the unit, we explore six key lessons, forming the acronym B.R.I.G.H.T.:
B – Being Brave: Standing strong in our bodies against appearance-based teasing.
R – Resilient: Developing resilience in our bodies.
I – Inclusive: Fostering an appreciation and acceptance of difference.
G – Grateful: Being grateful for what our bodies can do, and learning not to compare ourselves with others.
H – Happy: Embracing joyful movement, learning to love moving our bodies, and understanding that not all activity has to be competitive.
T – Thoughtful: Using thoughtful language and nurturing a positive attitude toward eating.
We continue to build on these themes during our Health units in Year 5 and 6, drawing on the language and ideas to consolidate the girls’ learning. If you would like to learn more about the program, please click here to access details about each lesson and its specific focus. There are also links to the Butterfly Foundation website, offering more valuable information and resources for families to use at home.
Our PDHPE lessons consistently focus on supporting our girls to enjoy movement, have fun, and develop the confidence and resilience required to try new things. We diligently teach the girls fundamental movement skills, enabling them to apply these abilities to various game scenarios and, hopefully, inspiring them to confidently try a new sport or co-curricular activity.
For Semester 1, our K-2 girls have focused on Gymnastics, Dance, and Athletics, while our Year 3-6 students have been immersed in team games involving throwing and catching, Athletics, and Dance.
The K-2 girls have worked incredibly hard to improve their strength, flexibility, and skills across various gymnastics apparatus. They’ve thoroughly enjoyed fun and inclusive circuits that have allowed them to refine both their gymnastics and fundamental movement skills.
In Dance lessons, our Year 3-6 girls have been learning set dances and actively practising and modifying them in small groups. The girls have truly impressed us, not only with their dancing ability but also with their wonderful willingness to ‘give it a go’ and simply have fun with the activities. We’ve seen outstanding displays of teamwork, collaboration, and kindness in action as they’ve encouraged and motivated their groups to successfully learn their dances.
Our Athletics unit has been instrumental in preparing all our K-6 girls for their participation in the Junior School Athletics Carnivals. It has been truly wonderful to witness the girls developing their fitness and their sheer determination to improve, particularly in the track events. It was great to see the K-2 girls showcase their skills at the athletics carnival yesterday, and we eagerly look forward to seeing the Year 3-6 girls showcase their abilities at their upcoming carnival!
A Message from Mr Stephen Robinson, Deputy Head of Junior School – Operations
Junior School Canteen Helpers
We’d love your support in the Junior School Canteen! Please click here if you can volunteer your time.
For the care and safety of all our girls, it is essential that all volunteers hold a current Working With Children Check (WWC) number. If we don’t already have your WWC on file, please email your WWC number and date of birth to juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au so we can verify it. Your help makes a real difference!
A Message from Our Performing Arts Teachers
You are warmly invited to join us for the Year 5 Showcase, a truly special event celebrating the creativity of our students!
The Showcase will take place on Wednesday, 18 June 2025 at 1.30 PM in John Reid Hall. This year’s inspiring theme, “Why Not?”, invites students to reflect on the immense power of possibility and the vital importance of imagination in shaping the world around them.
Through an engaging blend of dance, drama, and diverse creative expression, our students have worked collaboratively to craft a performance that not only challenges limitations but also passionately celebrates potential. We would be absolutely delighted for you to attend this wonderful occasion, as we come together to recognise the creativity, growth, and enthusiasm of our talented Year 5 learners. We can’t wait to see you there!
Date: Wednesday 18 June 2025 Time: 1.30 PM Venue: John Reid Hall
Dates Week 6 and Week 7
Saturday 13 June IPSHA Saturday sport
Important Dates for Diary
Friday 27 June Last day of Term 2
Tuesday 22 July First day of Term 3
From the PPA
PPA Trivia Night 2025 – What a Success!
What a fabulous night for our parent community! Parents from across the College from K to 12 enjoyed an evening of trivia, prizes, games, fundraising and dancing. Our theme this year was “Time Travel” which inspired incredible creativity in costumes and table decorations.
It was our biggest and most successful Trivia Night with over 280 attendees and $20,000 raised. The funds will go towards staff development programmes, teacher appreciation initiatives and facilities benefiting students.
We had an amazing group of parents on the Trivia Night organising committee who planned the event with much enthusiasm and dedication. The parent community showed wonderful support through generous donations, raffle ticket purchases and bidding on live and silent auction items. We are also very grateful for the generous donations from local businesses.
Special thanks to Dr Hadwen, Mrs Brown and Kurtis Mathews (Head Diving Coach and Olympian) for their fantastic auction contributions. A very special thanks also to Natalie Lowndes and the Community Engagement team for working right alongside us in organising this event and contributing very popular Pymble items for the silent auction.
There was such a great atmosphere at this event and everyone is already looking forward to Trivia Night 2026!
If you enjoyed the long weekend, just imagine how special it was for our Boarders, many of whom were returning home for the first time in at least six weeks. As an extra treat, many of our Boarders took their day-girl friends along with them, enjoying their chance to return the hospitality that so many of our families show to them during the term time. As you will read below, Year 11 Boarder, Sybella, took this opportunity, and a fabulous time was had by all.
Last weekend, I took two of my day girl friends, Carine and Gemma, to my home in Tambar Springs, a small rural village in the Gunnedah shire. Starting with a six-hour train ride, we were all ready to spend time in the company of family, friends and much-loved pets. At the end of a long day, we were very glad to see my big sister who picked us up and took us for dinner at the Tambar pub, which was very busy with locals celebrating the long weekend with raffle tickets and lots of prizes.
The next day we spent time exploring my farm and meeting all 18 farm cats as well as our new border collie, Freya, and the goats. My friends met my little niece, Natalie, who was probably on a sugar high until it was her bedtime, when she started rubbing her eyes, then tricking us, by saying boo and giggling. She has also learnt the meaning of ‘no’ and won’t stop saying it! We finished the night watching an action movie, during which Dad fell asleep.
The following day, we made a big brekkie meal on the BBQ and a side of pancakes, then went over to our new farmhouse and spent most of our time playing pool and avoiding the basement/cellar. This was followed by a late lunch outside near the pit fire for a while, helping Mum make dinner for everyone, while also babysitting Natalie.
We spent the next morning over at Gran’s house, sitting by the heating and talking about school, and the holidays, while listening to Gran’s ABBA album DVD on her old radio player. I showed my day girl friends how to drive side-by-side, and they had a fun and scary time on it. Later, we had a chill and relaxing afternoon inside playing on the old Wii near the fireplace, snacking on cheese and crackers, with a surprise of Natalie and her sassy attitude.
On Monday morning, we said goodbye to everyone and spent a supposed five-hour drive, but it turned into an 8-hour drive because of traffic and a surprise along the way, seeing a former Boarder, Mia!
Pymble Heads South
Just a reminder, in Griffith on 19 June and Wagga Wagga on 21 and 22 June at the Boarding Schools Expo. If you are in the area, we would love you to call in and say hello. Better still, if you’d like to catch up on one of the evenings, let us know!
Love It Ms Theresa Mimmo, Deputy Director of Boarding
As we head into the end of term, our Boarders are keen to make the most of the weekend. Please see below just some of the fun that is offered this weekend.
Friday afternoon – Boarders Get Giving
Friday evening – enjoy the Year 11 Drama production of Scenes from the Climate Era by David Finnigan here onsite or for our Year 9s, pizza night in Goodlet House
Saturday – an afternoon of flipping and jumping at Flipout
Sunday – an afternoon at the NRL – Rabbitohs versus Bulldogs
View From My Window
Hi, my name is Quinn, and I joined Pymble last year as a Year 7 Boarder. I was born and raised in Scone, NSW, which is three hours’ drive north-west of Sydney. I live on a cattle farm 20 minutes outside of Scone with my Mum, my dad, my brother, Parker (12) and my sister, Lizzie (10). I also have a three-year-old black Labrador named Lulu, a bunny named Solo, a few chickens, guinea fowl (who are meant to guard the chickens) and four gorgeous horses.
When I look out my window in the springtime, I see beautiful white blossoms that are so delicate they look like they’ve been topped with snow. I see my Mum’s flower beds, which are full of life and colour; I see my horses galloping in the paddock; and I see the edge of my pool, which my family love to use in the warmer weather. I also frequently see my siblings giggling and playing outside.
We live on a mountain which gives us the most incredible sunrises and sunsets throughout the year. I love the smell of the fresh countryside, and I love gazing at the stars on clear nights. Because we live just outside of Scone, we can also see the lights of the town twinkling at night.
My Dad works on our cattle station throughout the year, and every once and a while my siblings and I will give a hand in the yards or out mustering. We breed Hereford cows, which are brown and white, and are particularly good for their meat. It’s a fulfilling industry which my dad has been part of all his life.
I have loved the opportunity to be a Boarder here at Pymble and getting to know all my Boarding sisters. I loved living in Avonmore last year and now I am in Goodlet and excited to continue the rest of my education with every opportunity here. As much as I love the city, though, I will always love coming home to the clean, crisp country air and my Mum’s incredible home-cooked meals.
Boarder of the Week
Congratulations to Sahara, our Boarder of the Week, who, as Anne Graham, our Head of Lang House, shares below, has been a wonderful addition to our Boarding family.
Sahara is a passionate young woman with a deep love of her cultural heritage. Through her dance, which she has embraced with pride, she performs with vibrant energy, sharing her emotion with others through intense movement and expression, particularly recently during her performances for National Reconciliation Week. Beyond her artistic abilities, Sahara exudes a sense of calm although she can often display a fun, dry sense of humour which keeps everyone on their toes. She radiates a positive energy and displays interaction with kindness, ready to offer support. Sahara is always approachable and responds to staff with respect and understanding of circumstances.
Save the Date
19 June Boarding Schools Expo, Griffith
20-21 June Boarding Schools Expo, Wagga Wagga
Wednesday 25 June Boarders’ End of Term Chapel Service – note adjusted dated
Friday 27 June End of Term 2 Boarders’ Travel Day*
Monday 21 July Boarders return from 2.00pm for the start of Term 3
** All Boarders to be collected by 4.00pm.
Carolyn Burgess
Head of Boarding
From the Chaplains
Sticks and stones can break my bones AND NAMES CAN REALLY hurt me.
With Trinity Sunday approaching, I have been reflecting on the many names for God found in scripture. For many, the descriptor for God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit is primary to faith. For me, the names I use for God tends to depend on where I find myself in the moment. My favourite names for God, as found in the scriptures at this moment, are Spirit, Wisdom and YHWH.
Right now, these names embody a connection to earth that I find comforting whilst simultaneously filling me with an unsettling prompting to act that gives me the courage to do more. Like God, each of us is known throughout our lives by many names. You know me as Rev. Danielle.
But I am also mum, sister, friend and auntie.
Though I am fundamentally the same person when I am called each of these names, each name reflects a different side of me. The different names speak to the behaviours and characteristics I demonstrate when I am with the people that call me by these names. Accordingly, these five names are some of the names that I value and treasure, because the people that call me these names are really special to me. But there are some names that I have been called throughout my life that I don’t like. I don’t like being called ‘Dan-yell’ where my name is pronounced with 2 syllables rather than 3 or ‘Dan-E-elle’. But in this instance, I appreciate that others with the same name may prefer this pronunciation, so I tell myself it really doesn’t matter. I have been called stubborn.
This is possibly a true descriptor of me, but my experience is that it is rarely extended as a compliment. A compliment might be instead naming me as ‘determined’ or even ‘persistent.’ I was once called a ‘Dangerous Woman’ by a colleague who had never met me but disliked me because I had stood up to a powerful person who was not using their power fairly. This one hurt. Knowing that the person didn’t even bother to know me before spreading the name hurt even more. Truth is, though, it was not a reflection of me. It was their misconception. Just as God has many names, so do we. Knowing our many names helps us to remember and embrace the whole of our beautiful, complex and intricate, and unique selves. Knowing our names helps us to prioritise those that are important and aspire to characteristics that we want to be named for—things like being kind, generous, and caring.
Acknowledging the names we have been called also helps us to de-emphasise and leave behind those that we don’t want to be known as or have moved beyond through change and growth. It empowers us to totally leave behind those names that are just plain mean, unjustified and hurt-filled. And, most importantly, be much more careful when we intentionally or even just carelessly name others in this way.
Because the name that we all hold first and foremost in each of our lives is ‘loved’.
‘For God so loved the world he gave his only son.’ John 3.16a
Rev. Danielle Hemsworth-Smith College Chaplain
From the Futures Team
Term 2 is a busy time for Masterclasses hosted by the Futures team.
Last week, Macquarie University came by to talk about their early entry program — Leaders & Achievers. Year 12 students are strongly encouraged to apply, as leadership and achievement take many different forms inside and outside of school. This week, the UNSW CO-OP program will be talking about their scholarships that provide industry training, professional development, networking, and financial support for selected undergraduate students in the disciplines of Business, Engineering, and Science. UBS is coming in next week to talk about their cadetship program, which combines university studies with work experience in banking and finance.
In the sporting and performance spaces, Macquarie Uni, Sydney Uni, UNSW, and UTS are all coming on Friday, 20 June, to share information on their Elite Athlete and Performers Schemes. These are university admission pathways that provide adjustments to selection rankings for students whose commitments to high-level sport or performing arts may have impacted their academic performance. These schemes acknowledge the challenges faced by balancing education with demanding training, competition, or rehearsal schedules.
Year 10-12 students are encouraged to sign up for Masterclasses they are interested in.
UNSW Engineering Work Experience Brinda Chovhan – Year 10
From 26 to 30 May, I participated in UNSW’s Civil and Environmental work experience program, along with 92 students from across the state. It was an informative experience where each day we specialised in a specific branch and got to observe and interact with various sites, engaged with industry leaders such as ACCIONA, and received advice from experts. While I was there, I gained a deeper understanding of Civil Engineering and have developed a clear idea of what I want to specialise in. As a secondary focus, I got to meet many aspiring engineers and collaborated on group projects throughout the program. Civil Engineering is a broad field that encompasses countless skills, from building bridges, engineering water filtration systems, surveying, and designing train tracks. Beyond technical knowledge, engineers require strong communication skills, problem-solving, and ingenuity.
In further detail of the 2025 program, we were split into three coloured groups: blue, green, and yellow. The blue group, which is where I was placed, focused on surveying, construction, transportation, and the water supply system aspects of Civil Engineering. The yellow group focused on wastewater, construction, electrical, and geospatial components. Finally, the green group specialised in chemical, solar, geotechnical, and construction parts of Civil Engineering. On the last day, all groups converged for a structural engineering session, culminating in a final bridge-building group project. Overall, I had a very positive experience in this program and highly recommend applying for next year’s experience.
FINMA Women in Finance Evening
FINMA is an industry-designed finance training program that runs alongside university studies and provides graduates with a direct pathway to careers in investment banking, trading, and asset management.
Sophie Xu (Year 11) attended an information evening and had the following thoughts to share:
I was fortunate enough to attend the FINMA Women in Finance Evening and found it to be a highly insightful and professionally organised experience. The evening brought together professionals from across the financial services industry — including areas such as asset management, investment banking, and financial regulation — who spoke about the challenges and opportunities for women in finance. Although the event was focused on supporting women, many of the speakers and facilitators, including members of the FINMA team, were male. This offered a more balanced and realistic view of how gender diversity is approached across the industry.
As I looked further into the FINMA program itself, I discovered that it is currently open only to university students — specifically those enrolled in degrees such as a Bachelor of Commerce or Economics. Most of the attendees I met were in their first or second year of university and already exploring internships or graduate career pathways.
Even though I’m not eligible to apply at this stage, attending the event was incredibly valuable. It allowed me to hear directly from those working in the field, ask questions, and better understand the realities of a finance career beyond what we learn in school. The experience confirmed for me that I want to pursue commerce or economics at university, and it gave me a clearer picture of the kinds of opportunities that may be open to me down the line. I’m very grateful to have had the chance to attend.
Upcoming Events (Internal)
Masterclasses – email sent to student each week with sign-up sheet
Celebrating Our First In-House Gymnastics Competition!
Wow! What an incredible experience we had last week with our very first in-house gymnastics competition at the Pymble Artistic Gymnastics Centre. Over two action-packed days (Thursday and Friday), every competitive gymnast from Levels 3 to 9 was invited to compete, show their skills, and most importantly, have fun.
Each gymnast gave it their all, delivering fantastic performances and displaying true sportsmanship. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and a touch of competitive spirit, despite a few nerves — and even a couple of tumbles! It was wonderful to see everyone supporting each other and using this opportunity to practise in a friendly, encouraging environment. As the competition season varies for each group — Levels 8 and 9 have already competed at State Championships and are in peak competition form, while Levels 3 to 7 are gearing up for their trials in Term 3 — a few butterflies and moments of “competition rustiness” were only to be expected. What better place to work off the nerves than right here at home?
All the coaches are incredibly proud of our gymnasts — your commitment, courage, and progress have truly impressed us. Watching you support one another and rise to the challenge was inspiring for everyone involved.
Thank you to the parents who bravely faced the chilly weather, bundled up and cheering on our gymnasts. Your support means so much and truly adds to the positive energy in the gym.
At the conclusion of each day, apparatus awards were presented within each squad, celebrating first, second, and third places — a well-deserved recognition of individual achievements. This week, we look forward to announcing the All-Around winners for each level and celebrating their outstanding efforts.
Congratulations to every gymnast who took part. We are so proud of your courage, commitment, and wonderful performances. Here’s to many more exciting competitions and continued progress!se!
We are so proud of all our gymnasts — your hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship continue to inspire us all. Congratulations on your incredible achievements and good luck to those heading to nationals!
Vanessa Clyne Acting Head Coach of Artistic Gymnastics
Co-curricular Administration
Registrations for Term 3/Semester 2 Co-curricular programs are now OPEN and will close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 9 July. Registration is available via the online system, which can be accessed through the co-curricular pages on MyPymble by clicking here. A parent or carer login is required to complete the registration process.
Please note that registrations cannot be accepted via email or phone.
Important Reminder: If your daughter is currently enrolled in a Semester 1 program (Term 1 and Term 2) and wishes to continue in Semester 2 (Term 3 and Term 4), re-registration is required.
Re-registration is NOT required for yearly programs.
Programs available for registration include:
Term 3 Programs
Junior School
Senior School
Athletics and Cross Country Diving eSports Fencing Football Skills Golf (invitation only) Have a Go @ Saturday Sport Health and Fitness Orienteering Taekwondo TAS Programs (Smart Cookies) Volleyball Development Program
Athletics and Cross Country Chess Diving eSports Fencing Football Skills Golf Health and Fitness Orienteering Rowing (Winter) Taekwondo TAS Programs (Brew Crew – Basics, Kitchen Whiz) Touch Football Skills Volleyball Development Program Water Polo Skills Sessions
Semester 2 Programs (Term 3 and 4)
Junior School
Senior School
Art Programs (Ceramics, Artmaking) Breakfast with Books Drama – Musical Theatre Language Arts STEM – Coding Natural Skincare and Wellbeing TAS Programs (Stitch and Create) Yoga for Year 2 to 6
Art Programs (Ceramics, Oil Painting, Print Artmaking) Book Club Language Arts Natural Skincare and Wellbeing STEM – Coding TAS Programs (Brew Crew – Essentials, Stitch and Create, Totally Textiles) Yoga for Stress Management
For any further enquiries, please contact the Co-curricular Administration team ccsa@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au
Sally Davidson
Head of Co-curricular Administration
Hockey
Shellie Rocca, Co-ordinator of Hockey
Representative Hockey
We extend our sincere congratulations to Bella Croker, who on Friday 6 June, represented the NSWCIS U19 Hockey Team at the NSW All Schools Tri Series. Congratulations to Bella and her team for achieving first place on the day. A special mention goes to Bella, who has been selected for the NSW All Schools 2025 Merit Team.
Swimming
Metro SMNE Championship Report
We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding efforts of 35 talented Pymble Ladies’ College students who competed in the Metro SMNE Championship over the King’s Birthday long weekend from Saturday 7 to Sunday 8 June.
Representing the Knox Pymble Swimming Club, our swimmers from Years 3 to 12 displayed remarkable enthusiasm, skill, and sportsmanship. Their achievements are a testament to their dedication, the guidance of their coaches, and the vibrant spirit of our swimming community. Congratulations to everyone involved!
Participating swimmers: Lilly Andrews (Year 8), Amélie Berg (Year 6), Megan Chia (Year 9), Annalise Chow (Year 11), Jessica Croll (Year 12), Emma Deere (Year 6), Oriana Fenton (Year 8), Georgia Friedel (Year 8), Alicia Gong (Year 4), Mia Hong (Year 3), Ludovica Iacovelli (Year 8), Leah Ji (Year 3), Puisai Victoria Ko (Year 7), Sarah Kranes (Year 8), Vera Le (Year 4), Anne Liu (Year 9), Yuxi Lun (Year 5), Jade Mao (Year 8), Priscilla Miller (Year 7), Ruby Pickthall (Year 11), Keira Smith (Year 12), Olivia Sun (Year 3), Indianna Vale (Year 10), Emma Wang (Year 6), Isabella Wang (Year 6), Genevieve Wong (Year 6), Chenxuan Yu (Year 8), Olivia Yu (Year 5), Chloe Zhang (Year 7), Penelope Hargraves (Year 8), Caitlyn Keating (Year 10), Rose Harrington (Year 7), Rose Wang (Year 5), Khanh Chi (Emily) Dao (Year 4), and Jaya Lilienthal (Year 12).
Outstanding result: The club achieved a remarkable victory, finishing an incredible 5,000 points ahead of the second-placed team!
Medal Highlights
Gold Medals
Georgia Friedel (13 Years): 100m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, 50m Backstroke
Isabella Wang (11 Years): 100m Freestyle, 100m Butterfly, 50m Breaststroke
Priscilla Miller (12 Years): 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke
Lilly Andrews (12 to 13 Years): 50m Butterfly
Emma Deere (11 Years): 100m Breaststroke
Leah Ji (9 Years): 50m Breaststroke
Keira Smith (12 Years and Over): 50m Backstroke
Indianna Vale (14 Years and Over): 200m Freestyle
Girls 8 to 13 Years 4x50m Medley Relay
Girls 8 to 13 Years 4x50m Freestyle Relay
Girls 14 Years and Over 4x50m Freestyle Relay
Silver Medals
Keira Smith (12 Years and Over): 100m Freestyle
Keira Smith (14 Years and Over): 100m Butterfly, 100m Backstroke
Priscilla Miller (12 Years): 50m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly, 100m Butterfly
Puisai Victoria Ko (13 Years): 50m Breaststroke, 100m Breaststroke
Amelie Berg (10 Years): 50m Breaststroke, 100m Breaststroke
Congratulations to all swimmers for their fantastic performances and for contributing to such an outstanding team result!
Steven Qu, Swimming Coach
Drama
Sharp Short Finals Winners and Theatresports Semi-Finals!
Last Friday, the Year 10 Eisteddfod group competed in the final round of the Sharp Short Theatre at the Riverside Theatre after winning their heat the previous week with The Court Case of 7 8 9. This piece was written, performed, and directed by the students with support from the co-curricular Drama teacher, Stephanie Volos, earning them Best Director and Best Overall Production.
SHARP SHORT – GRAND FINALS
Year 10 Eisteddfod Group: Jessica Allman, Zoe Bloom, Emily Chiang, Katerina Economou, Grace McSweeney, Laranya Nanthakumaran, Leura Sayers, Chloe Wang, Nina Wang, and Lara Waterhouse
We also had five improvisers compete in the semi-finals of the Senior Theatresports Schools Challenge after earning high scores in their heats. They competed wonderfully alongside nine other schools.
When: 10.30am to 12.30pm, 1.45pm to 3.45pm, and 2.45pm to 4.45pm
Where: Curl Curl North Public School
Parramatta Eisteddfod – Friday 21 June
When: 12.30pm to 2.30pm
Where: Dundas Area Neighbourhood Centre, Telopea
Sydney Eisteddfod – Thursday 3 July
When: 4.00pm to 6.00pm
Where: Chippen St Theatre, Chippendale
Language Arts
DEBATING
ISDA Grand Final! Congratulations to our Year 7 and Year 8 teams who debated in the ISDA semi-finals recently. Both the Year 7 and 8 teams were victorious. This Friday 13 June, both teams will debate in the grand finals at Riverview.
Guests are welcome to watch debates. Good luck teams.
Transport To and From ISDA Debating Final Please note that buses will NOT run through finals and parents must be responsible for their daughter’s travel both to and from events. Carpooling is recommended.
Parents are welcome to attend and please note that parents must arrange transport home following their daughter’s debate.
More Debating Opportunities Social Debating coaches – Thank you to those who have volunteered to assist uni coaches with social debating. This competition runs until and including Friday 27 June
Social Debating girls – We look forward to seeing you after school in Jobson theatre, KM building, to continue your online season. Attendance is compulsory.
Archdale – Shield and Invitational Round 5 Shield and Invitational Debating continued on Tuesday when we visited St Vincent’s for Shield where Pymble had a good round. Next Tuesday, Pymble will host Monte for Round 6. Invitational will be run from IH. Please note that Year 10 Shield and Senior Invitational will be moved to a make-up date to be advised due to clashes for both teams.
MODEL UNITED NATIONS (MUN)
Pymble Model UN Club (PMUN) PMUN runs each Monday lunch in DK06. Come along and join us this term. Everyone is welcome. Learn how to prepare for a MUN conference. We will hold our own Winter conference again this year. We have also received invitations to MUN conferences to be held at various high schools including Trinity and Knox. Please see our MUN captain, Kiki Chen (Year 11), if interested, and email your interest to Mrs Hubbard.
THIMUN 2026 Tour All who have expressed interest in the THIMUN tour have been contacted by Travel at Pymble. Any still interested must contact Mrs Hubbard ASAP.
MOCK LAW
Bond Mooting Congratulations to Catherine Shi (Year 12) and Kitty He (Year 11) who attended the semi-finals of Bond Mooting on Saturday 7 June at Bond University on the Gold Coast. Unfortunately, Kiki Chen (Year 11) was unable to attend due to sickness. Both Catherine and Kitty did very well and we thoroughly enjoyed Bond’s hospitality. A highlight of the trip was watching a Moot from the staff and students of Bond.
Mock Mediation We have decided to open Mediation skills to more than one team. All those in Years 8 to 10 interested in Mediation will be invited to a lunchtime introductory talk. Stay tuned. This is a terrific life skill and will be a fun internal competition.
Young Justice At our recent excursion to the Young Justice Day, we discovered that our lecturer was a Pymble Alumni who lectures in Ethics and the Law. We are delighted that she is keen to return to Pymble for a tour and to conduct a lunchtime session in Jobson Lecture Theatre on Monday 23 June for all interested in Ethics and Law.
Language Arts Dinner Our Language Arts Prefect Catherine Shi (Year 12) and our Language Arts Parent Support mum, Aimy Hoang, have been working hard behind the scenes to organise our first Language Arts dinner! Invitations will be heading your way soon. Stay tuned for this exciting end of term event.
Music
We hope the girls who had a Monday morning rehearsal enjoyed a lie in and feel refreshed to embrace the remaining few weeks of term. The end of term is always a wind up for musicians, not a wind down. Therefore, we ask that you all please take care by resting and eating well and remembering to drink lots of water. Also, take some time for mindfulness – listen to your favourite piece of music.
On the weekend, I had the great joy of attending a SSO performance of Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture and Piano Concerto, as well as Brahms Symphony No 3. The Mendelssohn piano concerto brought me such joy as I recalled our trip to Spain and Portugal where our very own Joy Yin (Year 10) performed with the orchestra on international stages. It warmed my heart knowing that our girls can perform music that the SSO is performing!!!
Please remember that all students who have private lessons at the College MUST be a member of one of our many ensembles. Piano students are welcome to join the School Choir. Being a member of a music group, such as band, orchestra, or choir enables your brain to make new connections as well as solidifying knowledge gained through private lessons.
Dates for your diaries:
Monday 16 June – Eisteddfod for Hindson Chamber Strings and Senior Chamber Strings. Please check emails for permission notes for this event.
Tuesday 24 June – Term 2 Ensemble Concert in the GMCPA at 6.30pm. This is a concert for all students in choirs, bands, and orchestras and is compulsory. Tickets will be $5.00. See the flyer below.
Wednesday 25 June – FAREWELL LUNCH TO YEAR 12 musicians, hosted by Year 11 musicians
Equestrian
Maddison Scott, Co-ordinator of Equestrian
Coonabarabran Northwest Equestrian Expo 2025
The Equestrian team proudly represented Pymble at the 2025 Coonabarabran Northwest Equestrian Expo, held from Friday, 30 May to Tuesday, 2 June in Coonabarabran, NSW. This event brought together riders from schools across the state for a week of competition across many disciplines.
This year, the Pymble team consisted of 12 enthusiastic riders from Years 7 to 12. Students worked tirelessly in the lead-up to the Expo, displaying outstanding commitment and teamwork. Throughout the week, our students embodied the values of perseverance, respect, and courage, both in the arena and around the Expo grounds. Students competed in events such as the one-day event, pentathlon, polocrosse, team barrels, dressage, and hacking.
One of the highlights of the event was Poppy Barwick’s (Year 10) team whiteboard schedule, which laid out the team’s event schedule for the next day. Another key highlight was seeing our new students Matilda Garland (Year 7), Willa Kerin (Year 7), and Alison Kok (Year 7) compete in their first Coonabarabran. All the girls took on this challenge and rode their horses with poise and confidence.
A big thank you to all the parents, carers, and coaches whose unwavering support was instrumental throughout the competition. Your commitment — whether transporting horses, assisting with preparations, or ensuring our students were organised and ready for each event — was truly invaluable. The dedication you showed to your daughters and the Pymble Equestrian team made an enormous difference.
Results
Alison Kok (Year 7)
5th Team Hunt
Lilian Ahlenstiel (Year 8)
5th Team Hunt
8th Combine Training Div 3
Lola Barwick (Year 12)
9th One Day Event 95cm
3rd Showjumping Astro Mini Prix
2nd Showjumping Astro A2
2nd Barrels
1st Key Hole
Poppy Barwick (Year 10:
7th One Day Event 80cm
4th Showjumping 105 A2
Rosanna Rew (Year 9)
1st Hacking
Teya Cranley (Year 11)
7th One Day Event 80cm
Alexa Kong (Year 9)
10th One Day Event 80cm
1st Showjumping 95cm A2
1st Showjumping 80cn 2 Phase.
Congratulations to all those who represented Pymble at the Coonabarabran North West Equestrian Expo 2025. Your Pymble pride, spirit, and efforts were incredible.
From the Co-curricular Performing Arts Team
The shortcode only works for newsletter articles
After-Hours Study
Homework Help
Year 12 Study Camps
Click the poster below to register.
Apply now for a range of Pymble scholarships
Senior Academic Scholarship registrations open to Year 9 students
Pymble offers a number of scholarships each year to girls who are currently in Year 9 at Pymble or external to Pymble who will be in Year 11 in 2027.
Registrations for Year 11 2027 Senior Academic Scholarships are currently open. For more information and to register to sit the Academic Test in August, visit our Scholarship webpage.
Registrations close on 30 July 2025. The examination will be held at the College on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Scholarship registrations open to current Year 5 students
Pymble offers a number of Year 7 scholarships each year that are open to current Pymble Junior School students and girls joining the College in Year 7.
The 2027 Rosalie Ramsay Junior Academic Scholarship and Year 7 2027 Performance Scholarship – Music are currently open to our Year 5 Pymble students.
Registrations close from 23 July2025 depending on the scholarship. The examination will be held at the College on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Information about portfolio requirements and how to apply can be found online through our Scholarship webpage.
Scholarship registrations for new RTG STEM Scholarship open to current Year 8 students
Pymble has a new scholarship for students with a passion and competent skills in STEM. The RTG STEM Scholarship offered through the Pymble Foundation is open to Year 8 students (current and external students) for a scholarship commencing in Year 9 2026 until Year 12 2029.
Registrations close on 30 July 2025. Students are required to sit an examination held at the College on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Information about portfolio requirements and how to apply can be found on the Scholarship webpage.
