Keeping Up With The Boarders - Spring 2023

Boarders ISSUE 18, SPRING 2023

Spring has sprung at Pymble Just as spring represents a time of renewal, this edition of Keeping Up With Our Boarders seeks to capture the ebb and flow of life on campus and provides a glimpse into the lives of the girls of whom we are so lucky to call Pymble Boarders. The last few weeks of Term 3 are always filled with anticipation of this revitalisation as we announce our new leaders, but also tinged with sadness as we farewell our Year 12s. As you read through this edition, I am sure you will agree we have outstanding candidates to fill the very big shoes of Year 12 2023.

experience in Arnhem Land, it is fair to say that there is a plethora of opportunities available for the taking. As always, I am grateful to all those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make this possible.

And, amongst all of these wonderful adventures, I hope you enjoy reading about all the day-to-day happenings that make Pymble such a wonderful place to be.

Carolyn Burgess DIRECTOR OF BOARDING

Our Spring edition is also a reflection of the manner in which our Boarders embrace all that is on offer at our incredible school. From Skye’s journey to ‘give back’ in Tanzania to Sahara’s life-changing

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Meet our Boarding Leaders for 2023-2024

HEAD BOARDER

Aspen Moore, Dubbo My name is Aspen, I am from Dubbo and have been boarding at Pymble since Year 7. To me, the most favourable aspect about Boarding is the strong friendships that I have made along the way. The bond we have with fellow Boarders is a sister-like bond which is complex to

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explain as the experience is extremely unique to usual school life. My most cherished memories I have made at school have been with my Boarding sisters, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to do so.

My role within the Boarding community, alongside Skye, is Boarding Head Prefect for 2024.

Utilising my position, I would like to

foster a further sense of belonging within the community by ensuring the Boarding diversity is both highlighted and celebrated. From Lunar New Year to NAIDOC, I plan on continuing our seasonal cultural celebrations throughout the school year. I also plan on working with my team and our Boarding staff to ensure the College spirit and values are upheld with dignity to build on the culture of Boarding. I aspire to maintain and enhance a Boarding environment that has a strong support network for the girls, whether that be encouraging the girls to support one another on Saturday sport mornings or implementing new traditions within Boarding where girls from each year group can feel connected and comfortable being themselves. I want to ensure the freedom of each Boarder is recognised and work with my team to come up with new initiatives to further improve our system. I also would like the Boarding community to be aware of issues within the areas from which

they come. This may be achieved through the Garden Party and Boarders’ Week along with organised fundraisers to build awareness and funds to help support our communities. Ultimately, I want everyone in Boarding to feel comfortable and safe in our community to ensure no one feels alone.

Boarding has exposed me to endless opportunities and lifelong friendships that have shaped me into the leader that I am today. I want to ensure all Pymble Boarders share in this experience; it is by coming together that we can all strive for our highest and strengthen our Boarding community.

HEAD BOARDER

Skye Pockley, Byron Bay I am Skye and I am from Byron Bay on the Far North Coast of NSW. I also spend my holidays at our farms across NSW. I began boarding at Pymble in Year 8 after previously boarding at another school from Year 7. Being around your friends is a clear bonus of boarding, but for me the reality is the opportunities that I get handed every single day some of which many could never have dreamt. The facilities that the school offers, as well as our tightknit boarding family, really make our home away from home unique, and that’s why I love it.

I am Head Boarding Prefect along with Aspen, and this year we hope to achieve a further understanding of our diverse Boarding community instead of just celebrating it by integrating events such as Lunar New Year and other cultural events into our Boarding community.

Additionally, we would love to encourage more integration between the year groups and houses as we move into vertical boarding. Year group dinners and other activities will bring the year group together after spending their time in two different houses.

BOARDING PREFECT COORDINATOR

Rori Lemon, Collie My name is Rori Lemon and I am from Collie. Collie is quite small with a population of around 45 people.

The town only has a few houses and a pub, the Collie Hotel, which has gained quite a following on social media and is very popular for both locals and tourists. My family have just recently moved to Collie as my mum has just started managing the pub there.

I started boarding in 2022 in Year 10 and have loved it ever since. I love living in such a close community with my friends and having so many opportunities available to me.

Boarding gives me a home away from home and I find it so inviting to come back each term.

I am the Prefect Coordinator for 2024. In this role I am in charge of making sure our prefect meetings are organised and run smoothly, keeping all the prefects up to date with what is going on and making sure we all keep on top our initiatives and when things are due or happening. In my portfolio, I hope I can achieve a year full of great initiatives and activities that run smoothly and are the best they can be.

AVONMOORE PREFECT

Hannah Thornton, Dubbo Hello, my name is Hannah Thornton.

I am from Dubbo in western New South Wales and I started boarding in Year 8. I am very grateful for the opportunities, adventures and connections Boarding life has provided. Boarding has allowed me to make amazing friends, some who live close by, and some who live on the other side of the world.

The ‘Love It’ program encourages us to embrace new experiences including attending major sporting events, enjoying the beautiful Sydney beaches and other unexplored areas.

In 2024 I have been given the amazing opportunity to fulfill the role of Avonmoore Prefect. Our new Year 7 Boarders will be making history by being the first students to live in Avonmoore, and I will be there to help them transition into Secondary School in both Boarding and the day school, as well as organise Big SisterLittle Sister initiatives and adventures.

I am also hoping to be a source for new Year 7 parents to ask questions about the Boarding life and, of course, offer a hug to anyone feeling a bit homesick.

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such as Diwali. My goal is to further raise awareness of, and support for, global causes and organisations which promote respect, dignity and inclusion. Refugee Week and the Country Women’s Association are examples of these. I will strive to also build connections with other schools through opportunities for social outings and educational activities.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PREFECT

Andie Hodder, Forbes Hi, I’m Andie Hodder and I live In Forbes, located approximately six hours west of Pymble. I have been boarding at Pymble since arriving at the beginning of Year 10 in 2022. I have loved almost every moment of it! Being a Boarder is a surreal and exciting experience, far different from my home environment. I feel very privileged to be able to complete my schooling at Pymble. As a Boarder I have learnt many new skills and adapted to many different challenges.

I have thrived and grown because I have been able to take on many new opportunities. I have been able to make friends with people I can now call my sisters, and I have learnt what it means to be a strong and independent young woman.

Fortunately, I have received the role of Community Engagement Prefect.

This position of responsibility is not taken lightly, and I am very delighted to be able to work with such an amazing team of girls, promoting an inclusive approach to leading the Boarding school. My role consists of helping to maintain an atmosphere of friendly cooperation, peace, inclusivity, and unity both inside and outside of the Boarding houses.

As Community Engagement Prefect I will be working with house staff and the Spirit House Captains to organise events to celebrate the cultural diversity of our Boarding community,

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Most importantly, I want to be able to give my Boarding sisters equal consideration and fairness, and allow them to express their concerns and opinions. I will represent them with a strong voice, to make everyone feels safe and respected within their home away from home.

I will be the 2024 Goodlet House Boarding Prefect, to which I’m hoping to not only support all the Goodlet girls through the year but give them as many opportunities as possible to make their life greater.

I’ve been developing ideas for new work opportunities and Love It activities and am hoping to extend that further to give them the same possibilities as they would at home with their parents.

MARDEN HOUSE PREFECT

Erica Williams, Goulburn

GOODLET HOUSE PREFECT

Stella Robertson, Gunnedah My name is Stella Robertson, I’m a Boarder from Gunnedah, NSW, and I have been boarding here at Pymble since Year 7. The thing I love most about being a Boarder is the relationships I get to build with everyone, these girls have been with me all throughout high school and have been witness to some major milestones in my life. I feel that being a Boarder those relationships are probably one of the main aspects that girls take away from their time at Pymble, along with an advanced sense of independence and of course, the comfort of knowing that when there is a free-dress day you will always get the dates right.

I’m Erica Williams and I’m from Goulburn. I have been lucky enough to board at Pymble since early 2020, which for me was a few weeks into Year 9. When I come to boarding, I love the family spirit between the boarding staff and the other Boarders as we hold each other up and together through the most amazing times as well as the times that we aren’t our best selves. Being able to experience boarding has been an amazing life changing experience for which I am beyond grateful.

In my last year of Boarding, I have been giving the opportunity to be the Marden House prefect. I currently do not have a set initiative as I am waiting for the people to live in the vertical system in Marden House to be able to gather ideas from those living in the house and to set an initiative around what the girls need done whilst bringing them and the Marden staff along with the whole process. Until then and for the

duration of this role I strive to ensure all members of the house, staff, and Boarders, feel recognised and at home in this home away from home.

As a collective Boarding portfolio I hope to achieve our set initiatives.

to transport to sport games and other events for all our Boarders, as well as working with the head of Performing Arts and head of Sport to help further cultivate a passion in all areas of co-curricular and curriculum activities. In 2024, my goals include creating initiatives and competitive/ performance opportunities that will showcase the Boarder talents to the wider school and Boarding community as well as encouraging all our girls to take advantage of the variety of co-curricular opportunities available at Pymble.

SPORT, MUSIC AND THE ARTS PREFECT

Giaan Jackson, Nyngan I’m Giaan Jackson, more commonly known as Gee, I have been a Boarder since Year 7, 2019 but I usually come from Nyngan, more commonly known as two hours west of Dubbo or the home of the Big Bogan. Boarding has provided me with a variety of opportunities that previously would have never been possible at home as well as allowing to meet so many friends that will last me a lifetime. Throughout my time at Pymble, I’ve been involved in a variety of co-curricular activities from fencing to basketball, the Pymble Chorale and a multitude of drama and musical productions. Being a Boarder has made being so heavily involved in all these activities so much more easier..

For the end of 2023 and the 2024 year, I will be the Boarding Sport, Music, and the Arts Prefect, through which I aim to celebrate all of the talented girls we have in our Boarding community by helping to provide further performance opportunities and recognition of their achievements in all the respective areas of sport, music and the arts.

I hope to improve accessibility

WELLBEING PREFECT

Victoria Burton, Coonamble My name is Victoria Burton, but most people call me Torie. I come from Coonamble, a small country town eight hours north-west of Sydney on a property called Thara, where my family runs livestock and cropping. I have one older brother, Angus, three dogs - Milo, Spider and Ding - and a lamb named Reuban. I started boarding at Pymble back in Year 7 and am extremely grateful for the opportunities it has given me, from making lifelong friends to accessing a beneficial education and a wide range of new co-curricular activities.

In order to make the most of my time here at Pymble, I have tried to get involved in as many areas as I can, finding enjoyment in a range of sports like basketball, netball, hockey, touch football and AFL, alongside school chorale, guitar lessons and eisteddfod concerts. My passions lie amidst music and agriculture, with

my favourite subject at school being Ag. My favourite thing about boarding at Pymble is definitely the lifelong friendships I have made, and the memories I will cherish with the girls.

Living in a house for six years with a diverse group of women from all walks of life sometimes isn’t easy, but the support and love shared amongst the girls has made my time at Pymble so special. Coming from the country it was hard to adapt into city life, particularly in the day school, but with the support from my Boarding sisters it has been an easy transition which has helped my progress as an individual.

Boarding itself has taught me a lot about perseverance, organisation, commitment, but most importantly kindness and compassion.

My role as the 2024 Wellbeing Prefect involves enhancing the physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing of the girls, uplifting their spirits and supporting them to feel happy and content in their time at Pymble. I hope to work with the other boarding prefects, supporting and developing a strong sense of self in order for the girls to enhance their participation in opportunities they are offered. I look forward to encouraging girls to participate in all aspects of schooling life and become a support person for them to seek advice from or just have a laugh. In my role I aim to take on projects such as the Kindness Project and provide feedback on our Boarding menu to support our Boarders and deeper their impact of kindness on others and themselves.

Helping the Boarders look out for each other and share in our Pymble traditions will allow each girl to make positive lifelong memories of their own.

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LEADING OUR SPIRIT HOUSES While our day school students have membership to eight houses, our Boarders are members of one of four: Goodlet, Marden, Hammond and Lang, also known as Spirit Houses. There are two Spirit House Captains for each Spirit House and these girls are charged with engaging the entire Boarding community in the various events and activities that take place throughout the year in addition to promoting and fostering school spirit and the College values – Care, Courage, Integrity, Respect and Responsibility. I am delighted with our team for the new year and cannot wait to see what these young women will bring to our Boarding family.

Boarder voice is super important in helping us maintain a happy, healthy home where wellbeing is a priority.

There are variety of forums in which our Boarders can provide feedback, most significantly our Boarders’ Representative Council (BRC) is key in providing student voice and enhancing the boarding experience for all.

There are two BRC representatives from each year group and these girls have the responsibility of representing the views of their cohort and feeding back outcomes from matters raised. I am delighted to announce the following BRC members for the 2024 year.

Year 7: Emma Roberts and Mads Gaden

Congratulations to our 2024 Spirit House Captains Year 8: Phoebe Pockley and Annika Maslin Goodlet House: Alice Beveridge and Celeste McDermont

Year 9: Rose Kirby and Addison Seeto

Hammond House: Evie Leahy and Jemma Hodder

Year 10: Celeste McDermott and Lola Barwick

Lang House: Sophie Lang and Alethea Levy Marden House: Dezi Magaan Jones and Nandika Singh

OUR BOARDERS’ REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

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Our Pink Ladies Pink Ladies are special people in the lives of our Boarders who go out of their way to make our time in Boarding easier, happier and much more connected.

CAROLYN BURGESS Our Term 3 staff recipient is the very deserving Mr Grant Jackson who is a fabulous friend to our Boarding family. As Co-ordinator of Agriculture, Mr Jackson actively promotes careers in rural industries and environments, visiting Boarding families around the state and taking an interest in all that we do. He always keeps a special eye out for our Boarders and they enjoy the structures he set up in Cattle Club and the beautiful environment of the Agriculture Plot. Most recently, with the support of some very generous day school families, he organised a series of fabulous raffle prizes for the Garden Party which resulted in over $3,000 in funds being donated to the Boarding Parent Scholarship Fund. Most importantly, Mr Jackson always finds time for our Boarders and is a valued mentor and sounding board.

There were multiple Pink Lady awards for our students with our Year 12 Boarders bestowing this honour upon our entire Year 12 cohort. As Head Boarders, Amarley Bron and Abigail (Abby) Ballhausen said “we are so grateful to our day school friends who, over the last six years, have shown us immeasurable kindness - picking us up, driving us around, feeding us and providing a lovely home environment for us to stay. We couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you!”

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Pymble Gives Back - Boarder Style A Tanzanian experience to remember SKYE POCKLEY (YEAR 12), BYRON BAY Over the September/October holidays, myself and 15 other Year 11 Pymble students, along with three staff members, were lucky enough to travel to Tanzania as part of a school-run service trip. Prior to departure we met weekly to discuss fundraising, organisation of activities, and donations and as a result the trip ran very smoothly.

We spent the first five days at East Meru Community School (EMCS), a small school founded in 2008. It has grown to now facilitate eight classrooms. Unfortunately, for many, Tanzania does not offer the education needed to succeed in the workforce and therefore many are suffering from generational poverty. EMCS is a school building to assist those families suffering from poverty by providing free, English-medium quality education to those students in most need.

Experiencing the students genuine joy of life and compassion for each other was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the connections we built with the kids are some of which I will never forget. When assisting families within the community to collecting rocks and gravel for new school renovations (result of Pymble’s fundraising), assisting in classroom learning and donating learning resources I was inspired by the enormous effect of our short week spent at the school and how it impacted the local community.

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Due to our fundraising efforts, EMCS and Pymble Ladies’ College were able to travel to the Meserani Snake Park. For most of the students it was their first ever time reaching the ‘hard rock road’ (bitumen). Learning about reptiles found in Africa was daunting for some, but a memorable experience for all.

As all things do, the visit came to an end and we had to say goodbye to this beautiful community. Every student and teacher at EMCS have incomparable lives to ours, and learning about their stories was beyond inspiring. Visiting ECMS was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever experienced, and I would recommend anyone visit if offered such an opportunity.

Lucky enough, the next part of our trip was a three-day safari which was beyond spectacular. I have seen giraffes and the like at Taronga Zoo, but to see them in their natural habitat doing their thing felt like I was watching a live rendition of The Lion King. Almost immediately as we entered into Tarangire National Park, we spotted a whole herd of wildebeest and zebras, a couple of giraffes, impalas and elephants, to name a few. We were also lucky enough to see black rhinos, lions and hippos in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which, according to our safari guide Reg, is very rare. Again, we said a sad goodbye to another magnificent experience, and were soon on route to the next.

The School of St Jude is based in Arusha and has grown to around 1,800 students. Founded by an ex-St Vincent’s College student, Gemma Sisia, St Jude is built largely as a result of Australian support and donations.

Although the school has a large visitor program already running and accommodation available, we still saw the impact of our presence and support through the smiling faces as we walked around and read with some of the Standard 5 students.

In addition to St Jude’s and EMCS, we visited a number of government schools in different groups, and it was fascinating to see the difference between schools with support outside of the government and how much the children at government schools lack compared to those at selective private schools. For example, the class sizes range from 60-100 students on average, meals at lunch are an additional cost and some students can only speak their local language. This experience really opened my eyes to what an amazing opportunity we have here at Pymble.

On our last day in this beautiful country, we travelled to a cultural Maasai boma where we learnt about their culture and traditions, the elder of the tribe and his three wives, how they live in mud huts and, most fascinatingly, their bright, beaded jewellery. As a gift from St Jude’s, we presented them with a nanny goat, as their wealth is based of the number of livestock.

Thank you to all those who assisted myself and our Tanzanian group who travelled over there, and I would recommend anyone to travel over there or to a similar country in the future!

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Arnhem Land Immersion SAHARA LEMON (YEAR 10), COLLIE Last October I was among a few Pymble girls who were lucky enough to embark on a trip to Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. This was truly a trip of a lifetime and I cannot stop talking about it; it is one of my core memories. I recommend this trip to everyone; it is a trip that no one could ever forget.

We spent three days on a Homeland where only 15 people live during the dry season, as when the wet season is happening the roads get cut off and no one can access the Homeland. We hung out with the families and got to know them. We were also very lucky enough to go swimming in a sacred swimming hole where you are only allowed to visit if given permission. We visited a local art gallery and just got to relax and live in the moment for once without any devices to get distracted by. Oh, and don’t let me forget the crocodiles we were able to see which swum above the water at night.

When we were at the homeland, we were lucky enough

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to have daily lessons with the Elders and were grateful to learn about Yolngu language in particular which is linked with skin names. In Yolngu language there are two moieties: Dhuwa and Yirritja. The Elders gave us our skin names depending on which moiety we chose. There are four male and four female skin names for Dhuwa and Yirritja. Skin names are how Aboriginal people identify each other when they are visiting other places.

I was Dhuwa and was given the female skin name of Gamanydjan (the male skin name is Gamarraŋ.

It is hard to pick out the highlights, but one of the unforgettable experiences was when we were healed by six of the Elders. This is where you get traditional plants soaked in warm water which are then poured on any places that are hurting or causing pain or discomfort.

This trip has been such a highlight in my schooling, and I am grateful to all those that made it possible for me to attend.

Pymble comes to you WRITTEN BY CAROLYN BURGESS Our Boarding family spans from as close as Willoughby to as far as Dubai, and it is a real treat for me to be able to be visit our families in their hometowns and gain a better understanding of the everyday lives of our Boarders. In October I was lucky enough to spend a few days on the road in northern New South Wales, primarily in Moree and Narrabri. I was joined by our Principal, Dr Hadwen, Head of Agriculture, Grant Jackson and Enrolments Manager, Clair Stock. A real highlight for us was a tour of Rose Kirkby’s cotton farm in Moree where Rose’s dad gave up his morning to show us around and talk all things cotton. It was hilarious when we asked if we could have some cotton to bring back and he happily yanked out a few plants!

The trip really cemented for me that Pymble is absolutely the right choice for our country girls. At home they are surrounded by wide open spaces, so I understand the appeal of our beautiful campus where they can look

out their windows and see grass, ride bikes and spend time in the Agricultural Plot. Fortunately, our parents (and grandparents!) agree, and it was great to meet with many of them at a function later in the evening.

A few weeks later I was lucky enough to be in Orange to celebrate all things Pymble with present, past and prospective friends on an uncharacteristically wild spring evening. Joined by our Head of Upper School, Tom Riley and the indefatigable Jackie Garment, we had a fabulous time catching up on all things Pymble.

A real highlight was the company of four ex-students from the class of 1958; these incredible women exemplify the special bonds that link our Boarders so tightly. It was wonderful to see the friendships that were forged here at Pymble still thriving 65 years later, a fitting representation of the gift of a Pymble education.

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Boarders take on the World Cup WRITTEN BY GRACE PETERS (YEAR 10), DUBBO AND MIA CHAMBERS (YEAR 10), WYEE In the holidays ourselves and 20 other Pymble students had the opportunity to tour around France, playing rugby, sightseeing and watching the Rugby World Cup. We flew into beautiful Lyon where we spent the first week touring including a visit to Pérouges, a stunning medieval town. Mixing our sightseeing with sport, we had our first rugby training session and then watched Australia play Wales in the World Cup. Despite a disappointing outcome, the overall experience proved to be nothing short of spectacular.

Our next destination included a day trip to Annecy and Avignon. Annecy is internationally known for the beauty of its harmonious landscapes, but also for the quality of the lake water; the views were spectacular. While in Avignon we had the pleasure to play a tough game of rugby against Le Pontet Girls’ Rugby Club resulting in a nailbiting ending of a 64-all draw.

Seeing many famous monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc De Triomphe, Notre Dame, Le Puy en Velay and many other old villages and cathedrals was definitely a highlight of the trip. We also enjoyed a training session with Montpellier Herault Rugby Club before watching the Wallabies train in the Captains Run – a training session which is run by the team. Keen to show off our rugby skills, we enjoyed our second game concluding with a

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63-7 victory against Le Puy Rugby girls team. After the game the club hosted a lunch where we were able to try some French food, drinks and connect more with the girls.

Although it was hard as majority were not able to speak English, we still were able to exchange contacts and have some great conversions where they would teach us French and vice versa.

The next World Cup game we watched was Australia verses Portugal where the spirits were extremely high as many passionate fans from around the world had come to watch. This time Australia won 34-14 - we were super happy!

Coming up to our final days we took the fast train to Paris where we spent the week, starting off with a guided tour of the city, climbing the Eiffel Tower, visiting the Louvre Museum and seeing the Eiffel Tower lit up at night. The tour concluded with us playing one more game against a local Paris rugby club, securing the win with a score of 56-35.

As we look back on this unforgettable journey, the memories made, the new friends we made, the adventures we endured and even the challenges we faced made us truly grateful for the opportunity given and we are thankful for all the hard work put in to make it happen.

The Margaret Brooke ‘Brooksie’ Award The ‘Brooksie’ is awarded to a Boarder who exemplifies the spirit of a tenacious, courageous, compassionate and giving woman. This Boarder consistently uphold and demonstrate the College values and actively contribute to the Boarding community while demonstrating dedication to her studies. A Brooksie recipient consistently displays Pymble pride, including wearing appropriate school uniform, being punctual and maintaining a tidy room.

Georgia Stuart

Georgia is a shining example of what it means to embody our College’s values. Her unwavering commitment to these principles has not only had a positive impact on her own life, but has also enriched our Boarding family.

She is always curious and demonstrates a dedication to her studies. She consistently displays integrity, ethics, and humility, upholding high standards in all she does which lead to trust and respect from her peers and staff alike. Her honesty and kindness make Georgia a trustworthy friend and, as Dr Hadwen has referenced, she is a true leader, creating a sense of safety for all around.

Her room is always immaculate and a pleasure to walk into, everything in its place. Her uniform is the same.

Every school morning when she walks down the stairs you can see she takes pride in being a Pymble girl.

Georgia is an active and engaged member of not only Boarding, but our Pymble community as a whole. Her involvement outside Boarding reflects her willingness to take on responsibilities. Her unwavering dedication to diversity and inclusion also deserves mentioning. She embraces the unique perspectives and backgrounds of her fellow students, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Her inclusive approach contributes to Pymble’s commitment to diversity and equity.

Georgia possesses a strong sense of resilience and perseverance, she has faced challenges with determination. We have been privileged to have Georgia as a much-loved member of Boarding for the last five years and we have no doubt that she will continue to inspire and lead in the future.

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Boarders meet the Press Club ELLA MITCHELL (YEAR 9), DOLPHIN POINT Hello, I’m Ella Mitchell and I live in Dolphin Point on the South Coast of NSW. I’m currently in Year 9 and started at Pymble as a Boarder halfway through last year. The evening before our fabulous annual Garden Party, the Boarder community has a special event to kick off the weekend’s festivities at the Warrawee Bowling Club. It’s a night where we all dress to impress and welcome our Boarder parents and families to join us for dinner, drinks and live entertainment. Last year (my very first year), we danced the night away to an ABBA cover band that was spectacular; we sang the night away!

This year, we were lucky enough to have the Press Club come and be our live entertainment. Before the event this year, all Boarders were buzzing with excitement as we figured out what to wear and practised our dance moves, knowing how much fun we were going to have. Walking to catch our train, the anticipation continued to build.

Then BAM! The moment you walked in, you were greeted with a room filled with balloons, lights, food platters to feed an army (well, a group of very hungry Boarders),

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drinks and, of course, our Boarder families waiting to greet us and get started with the singing and dancing. You can see why it’s a special event for all of us.

The night was off to a great start with smiles on everyone’s faces, the band pumping up the crowd and the food station busy with everyone grabbing nibbles - you could feel the buzz in the air! It was a perfect representation of what our Boarding community is all about.

The Press Club (the live band) were very interactive, talking to us between songs and pumping up the crowd the minute we walked in. At one point in the evening, the band members asked the room if any musicians were in the crowd. I’ve been playing the drums ever since I was ten. I love playing all kinds of genres, and it’s always been a hidden passion of mine (well, not hidden to everyone at home and our neighbours, of course!). I play for me, not for anyone else. At that moment, I felt my hand shoot up in excitement; I’d been having fun the whole night, so why not have even more? The band members joked

about how quickly I responded and asked me what I played. Their drummer moved to the side and handed me their sticks when I said the drums.

I was a bit nervous when I stepped on stage. The bass guitar player kindly asked what songs I knew; we decided to play “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake. I will admit I’ve never played that song, but when the intro came I just went for it and played. All my Boarding sisters were cheering me on, dancing and singing so loud I couldn’t even hear my own thoughts.

When the song ended, everyone was shocked that I could play without sheet music and at the same level as the band. The band even joked that I could replace their drummer any time I wanted! The night immediately became a moment I will never forget.

a big cheer to all the organisers and a special thanks to the band.

Latiah McMillan and Edie Azar in Year 10 talked to some members of the band, receiving advice on becoming professional musicians. We walked back to the train station, tired but smiling, knowing that we had the Garden Party the next day.

The Garden Party weekend is a firm favourite in the calendar; however, for us Boarders, it’s extra special. It’s now a core memory of my time at Pymble, and I cannot wait until next year.

The rest of the night was filled with singing and dancing.

We even had a few dance competitions between Boarders and parents. The night ended on a high as Mrs Burgess announced the winners of each dance category and gave the winners of a box of chocolates. We gave

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Hop on Board Year 7 2024!

HANNAH THORNTON (YEAR 12), DUBBO On Friday 27 October, the 2024 Year 7 Boarders had their first outing and sleepover as a group. It was their first chance to get to know the people that they will be spending the next six years with and they made sure they squeezed every ounce of fun out of the time.

little friendly competition. Throughout this time, the new Boarders got to make connections and discover some hidden talents. Followed by some delicious gelato, we ventured back to school in time to make Halloween bark from chocolate at Boarders Get Baking.

The girls caught the train into the city to see some sights and have some time to get to know one another.

They also got to meet me and some of the ‘Big Sisters’, as well as Mrs White, Ms Wiedemann and Mr Howells..

Not impeded by the wet weather and train delays, the day included grabbing a quick lunch of either sushi or Maccas and then heading down to Strike bowling for a

The girls then had their first sleepover in Marden House where everyone slept on mattresses in true Boarding style - it was literally a sea of mattresses! The next day the girls had to do a couple hours of testing with the other 2024 Year 7 students at Pymble. They were super brave doing so many new things at once and I’m sure they were very happy to see their families that afternoon.

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ISSUE 18, SPRING 2023

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An opportunity of a lifetime BETH AYLING, HEAD OF MARDEN HOUSE On Wednesday 18 October, four of our AFLloving Boarders were granted the opportunity of a lifetime - to spend an evening at Swans HQ with the AFLW. I was lucky enough to accompany Allyana Levy, Isabelle Johnston, Jaidey Samuelsson and Ineke Sunderland to Moore Park for a private tour of the brand new, state-of-theart headquarters, as well as exclusive access to the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

The excitement began with a tour of the facilities, including the amazing indoor field, the pools, the high performance gym, altitude room and production studio. They girls were also given the opportunity to watch the team train, which was at high intensity due to a loss against Hawthorn the weekend prior. The girls were then given an exclusive tour of the belly of the SCG - a place where the public is rarely allowed to go. They saw the warm up rooms for before the game, the private locker room and were able to run through the tunnel up to the field. Truly a once-in-alifetime experience.

It was then back to Swans HQ to kick the footy with the assistant coach and manager of the Swans AFLW team. They were both highly impressed with the talent shown by the girls and gave them some pointers of how to build on their skills. A huge highlight was catching up with ex-student Alice Mitchell, who was excited to see Pymble girls there for a visit.

The members of the Swans AFLW were incredibly welcoming and kind to the girls and the experience was one they won’t quickly forget. We are incredibly grateful to Mr Bell, who so kindly donated this experience to our Boarders, and Mr David Burns who generously donated the prize for auction.

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Garden Party CAROLYN BURGESS I think it’s fair to say we outdid ourselves at this year’s Garden Party. The Marden Lawn was dressed fit for a spread in true country style. A laden produce stall, the absolutely gorgeous bread and flour stand, the fabulous Hillbilly Cider Bar, gourmet pork rolls and stunning signage all helped to ensure the Boarder Produce stall was ‘best in show’ on the day. My favourite, however, was the strong sense of community that shone through, from the ‘uniform’ of pink aprons to the last drinks on Marden Lawn at 6.00pm – it was truly heartwarming to have our Boarding Family together on this special day.

Of course, there was much planning in the lead up and we are all grateful to our Boarder Parent Group President, Edwina Beveridge, and Garden Party Co-ordinator extraordinaire, Kylie Levy, who led the formidable committee of Tessa McLaughlin, Tara Taubenschlag, Treen Barwick, Edwina Payne, Cath Payne, Tam Warren and Prue Paris to ensure the day was a huge hit. None of it would have been possible without the many donations from our families and we are all very grateful for the hometown specialities that were shared so generously. It really was a fabulous effort and it is great to know that all profits will go to the Boarder Parent Scholarship Fund.

A Spooky Tuesday CAROLYN BURGESS Our beautiful Boarding houses were all set to scare on 31 October - Halloween - and it was lovely to have our youngest Pymble students visit for a healthy dose of trick or treating. Of course, our Boarders didn’t miss out either and we were incredibly grateful to one of our day school families who delivered a beautifully bagged bounty of treats for every one of our Boarders. And, while the treats are delicious and dress ups are fun, it is the thoughtfulness, generosity and kindness of the good people of Pymble that made our Halloween so special.

ISSUE 18, SPRING 2023

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A View From My Window: Dunedoo MADELEINE (MADS) GADEN (YEAR 7), DUNEDOO Hi, my name in Madeleine “Mads” Gaden. I am 12 years old, and I come from Dunedoo, in the Central West of NSW. The town of Dunedoo is situated between Mudgee and Dubbo. My family consists of my dad (Will), mum (Jacquie) and my brother (Ollie). Ollie is in Year 10 and is a boarder at Shore. We also have a third child, the Jack Russell (Jilly), Labrador (Marley), seven work dogs, three poddy lambs - Jimmy, Peanut and Louie - four horses and Arthur the cat - they are all very much a part of the family. It really is quite the menagerie.

Dad is the third generation of farming on our properties ‘Lockerbie’,

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‘Bullinda’ and ‘Wheogo’. We own 8,000 acres; there are 700 acres of cropping and the rest of our property is native grass country and introduced pastures. We run 7,000 head of Merino sheep and we also run 300 head of Hereford and Angus Cattle. We run a lamb feedlot throughout the year when opportunities rise. This year we built a new five stand woolshed that holds 1,500 sheep. It makes for very productive shearing and will be a great place to hold parties in the future.

Outside my window I see all the animals roaming around the garden - I think someone has left the gate

open! Jimmy, Peanut and Louie are trimming the hedge, the dogs are sunbaking, the horses are in their paddocks grazing, as well as the sheep and cattle. The rolling hills and flats that go forever filled with grass and the newly sown crops. My window also has the views of our beautiful big orchard with oranges, mandarins, lemons and more. There are also the stables, chook yards and dog kennels.

When I’m home for the holidays the days start early to let the horses out of their stables and clean them. I ride my horse Rooster and then it’s out to help Dad. It’s mostly stock work at this time of the year and

sowing the last of the pasture crops.

I love being with my family the most.

Spending time with them is always so special. Even though my brother is 20 minutes away when we are at boarding school, it is always good to be home with him riding motorbikes, canoeing on the big dam and being together helping on the farm.

I have only been atBoarding for a short time and I miss my mum, dad and animals terribly, however when I return to Boarding it is always so good to see my friends and the Boarding staff as they are like family to me. I love catching up with everyone on their holidays, and just regrouping with each other. Going

back to Boarding is like another adventure because you never know what might happen in the term and what memories you are going to make. Although I am missing home, my time in Marden is like a home away from home.

“I love being with my family the most. Spending time with them is always so special. Even though my brother is 20 minutes away when we are at boarding school, it is always good to be home with him riding motorbikes, canoeing on the big dam and being together helping on the farm”

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A View From My Window: Temora LANA PIKE (YEAR 10), TEMORA Hello, for those of you who don’t know me, my name is Lana Pike. This year is my first year at Pymble as a Boarder and I am really enjoying it so far, especially the athletics, cross country and touch football programs.

When not in Goodlet House, I am at home with Mum and Mark in Temora, with our two chocolate Labradors, Buddy and Olive, and Socks the cat; or with my Dad in Wagga Wagga.

Temora and Wagga are both on Wiradjuri Country in the heart of the Riverina. Temora is 420km south-west of Sydney, with a shire population of approximately 6,000. It is known for its agricultural industry,

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aviation museum, harness racing horse Paleface Adios and several AFL and NRL players.

When I am in Temora my favourite place would have to be out at Lake Centenary. At the lake I go waterskiing in the summer with family and friends or we take the dogs for a lap around the walking track. Hanging out with my farming friends is also a lot of fun, especially when we have a camp oven or go yabbying.

When I look out my window, across the road I see my old primary school, Temora Public School. Just behind the school I can also see the new waterslide at the Temora Swimming

Pool which is a lot of fun.

When returning to Boarding after being home for the holidays, I am welcomed by familiar faces and smiles. This year has been a big change as I am an only child, but I know that I am so supported. I am loving spending time with my new friends and sharing in all the new experiences that Pymble has to offer.

“When returning to Boarding after being home for the holidays, I am welcomed by familiar faces and smiles.”

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Farewell to our much-loved Year 12s CAROLYN BURGESS Many of you will know, I started my tenure as Director of Boarding with our class of 2023 Year 12 Boarders and saying goodbye was particularly sad for me. Nevertheless, we were all determined to give these special girls a fitting farewell and began with a beautiful chapel service where our Boarding family gathered to celebrate this fun loving, kind and hard-working group of girls.

Our Head Boarders, Abigail Ballhausen and Amarley Bron, were recognised for the strength and gentleness, kindness and commitment and focus and resilience that they have consistently demonstrated. They were acknowledged as fitting leaders for their innovation, empathy and unwavering commitment to achieve the best for our Boarding family and for being exemplary in every way.

Amongst the highlights of the evening were the thoughtful gifts for our Year 12s from our Pymble and Gordon Uniting Church family, presented by Reverend Karen and a stunning performance by our Pymbellas with a poignant rendition of ABBA’s ‘Slipping Through my Fingers’. The personal ‘shout outs’ to each Year 12 by our Year 11 Boarders, were super special and unforgettable.

The following week we celebrated our Year 12 Boarders again, this time with their parents at a beautiful dinner in our Boarders’ Dining Room. It was a fabulous night of reminiscing and acknowledging the wonderful contributions of these special girls. It is an understatement to say they are exceptional. They are kind, fun loving and hard-working young women and I am beyond grateful to our families who have entrusted them to our care.

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