Keeping Up With The Boarders - Summer 2024

Boarders

Fun in the sun

Summer is always a special time for our Boarding family, providing the ‘bookends’ of the year. The culmination of Term 4 is invariably a fun celebration of the year that was, and the start of Term 1 brings the promise of joy as we welcome new Boarders to Pymble. This year we welcomed 28 fledgling Boarders to our supersized family of 130. This included 16 Year 7 Boarders who shared the delight of being our first residents of Avonmoore. The warm weather provided plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure and our Boarders made the most of trips to the beach, water parks and fun in the sun.

While our Boarders were sweltering in record temperatures, I was lucky enough to attend the annual conference of The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) in America, visiting a number of boarding schools along the way. It was a warm welcome home with the

news of many successes of our Year 12 Boarders. All in all, it’s been an action-packed three months which I hope you enjoy reading about in our summer edition of Keeping Up With Our Boarders

Carolyn Burgess DIRECTOR OF BOARDING

Hop on Board: Year 7 2024

HANNAH THORNTON (YEAR 12), DUBBO

Joining a new school is a feat for anyone, but joining a new school AND living away from home for the first time is definitely not for the faint hearted. For this reason, we have an extensive orientation program for our new Boarders to help them feel connected and comfortable as they begin their Boarding journey. Following some online catch ups, our newest Boarders joined us for two sleepovers. In the first of our face-to-face catch ups, the girls enjoyed a day on the town with their ‘Big Sisters’. This was a chance for them to get to know each other as well as our Boarding staff and future Head of Year.

We were lucky enough to see the new Year 7 Boarders a second time for Links Day and a sleepover two weeks later. They were greeted by their Big Sisters and were given the opportunity to get to know the older girls who will be there to help them settle into the College. Links Day also allows the new Boarders to explore the whole school and get to know the other day students in their year. That afternoon, the girls enjoyed going to Boarders Get Baking with the talented Mrs Weidemann and ended the day with time to settle in and enjoy their final sleepover before officially becoming part of the Boarding family.

Time to celebrate a wonderful 2023

CAROLYN BURGESS, DIRECTOR OF BOARDING

It was a Boarder-style salute to the year that was as we came together to celebrate, starting with a beautiful chapel service, followed by a Christmas feast and dancing.

The chapel service was a real highlight, with a poignant message from our much-loved Rev Bent and outstanding musical performances. Year 10 Boarder Edie Azar performed a spinetingling rendition of Hallelujah and our Pymbellas entertained us with a fabulous rendition of All I Want For Christmas. Our Prefect for Sport, Art and Music, Giaan Jackson, coordinated the ensemble, encouraging not only vocal excellence but also

highlighting many of our accomplished musicians including Lauren Whitfield Lowe on glockenspiel, Allegra Taubenschlag on guitar, Isabelle Burke on cello, Ella Mitchell on drums and Airiana Chan on violin. It is truly delightful to see such a professional standard of musicianship emerging in our Boarding family.

The service was followed by a delicious Christmas banquet and dancing. Our Boarders are not shy when it comes to having fun, and as has become the tradition, once again ‘assisted’ the DJ by taking over the microphone and pumping out the dance tunes. It was a lovely way to end another special year.

Our Boarders blitz their HSC

KATIE WHITE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF BOARDING

The Higher School Certificate (HSC) results for 2023 have been released, and among the standout performers are the dedicated Boarders who have demonstrated exceptional academic prowess, artistic talent and ambition for their future endeavours. Let’s take a closer look at the achievements of these remarkable individuals.

Boarders on the Merit Lists

Lucy Robertson achieved not only an impressive ATAR, but also secured her position on the Merit Lists for placing 5th in Investigating Science and Aboriginal Studies, showcasing her multidisciplinary skills. Additionally, Alice Hillsdon made her mark on the All-rounder list, reflecting her well-rounded academic achievements.

Art Express Nomination and selection

The artistic talents of Elie Djerrkura, Celine Hu, Macey Leahy, Georgina Pechan, Zoe Tallentire, and Grace Whyte have been recognised with nominations for Art Express, a prestigious platform celebrating outstanding visual arts in the HSC. This acknowledgment highlights their creativity and dedication to their craft. Among the nominees, Celine Hu and Georgina Pechan were selected for Art Express, a testament to their exceptional artistic abilities and the impact of their work.

GAP years

Amarley Bron and Macey Leahy have chosen to embark on GAP years, perhaps to explore their interests further

or gain valuable life experiences before pursuing further studies. By all reports, they are having a wonderful time with many exciting adventures and lessons along the way.

Further Study

Our Boarders have chosen diverse paths for their further studies, reflecting their individual interests and aspirations:

• Occupational Therapy at USYD: Abigail Ballhausen and Isabelle Francis

• Commerce at USYD: Matilda Barwick

• Arts Law at USYD: Alice Hillsdon

• Law at UNSW: Lucy Robertson

• Medicine at UNSW: Georgia Stuart

• Design Architecture at Newcastle: Zoe Tallentire

• Media and Communications at Notre Dame: Grace Whyte

• Nursing at ACU: Sarah Thornton and Mercedes AnsuhYeboah

These choices not only reflect the academic strengths of our Boarders but also their desire to make meaningful contributions to society in various fields.

The achievements of all our Boarders in the 2023 HSC reflect their hard work, determination and passion for their chosen paths. As they move forward into the next phase of their lives, they carry with them the pride of their accomplishments and the promise of even greater successes ahead.

‘Stori Blong Yumi’ (Our Story)

GEORGIA PECHAN (YEAR 12 2023), VANUATU

Exploring a dark chapter in her family history for her HSC major work won Georgina Pechan (Year 12 2023) a place at the prestigious ARTEXPRESS exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW.

A proud Ni-Vanuatu woman, Georgina’s work provides the viewer with an insight into the exploitive practice of blackbirding which impacted many of her ancestors including her great, great grandmother.

“Blackbirding is a significant part of my cultural heritage that cannot be ignored. It dated from 1863 to 1904 and caused immense dislocation and suffering to the South Sea Islander Community who worked on Australian agricultural plantations.”

Many Ni-Vanuatu people were taken as labourers and their stories of resilience and survival have been passed down through oral history in Georgina’s family.

“My great, great grandmother, Mini, was just 16 when she was taken from her home in Mota Lava, Vanuatu and after three years of hard work on a sugar cane plantation in Queensland she was deported to Erromango in southern Vanuatu where my family still lives.

Through the exploration of weaving, bookbinding and printmaking techniques, Georgina’s body of work called Story Blong Yumi, conveys the importance of educating, sharing, and acknowledging her elders past struggles. With a recurring motif of plants, she experimented with chlorophyll printing on leaves to conceptually link the issue of blackbirding with her cultural roots. The leaf also symbolises the link between slavery and agriculture.

“I was thrilled that my work was accepted into the annual exhibition of HSC art. Thank you to my teachers for all the support and encouragement they gave me throughout this creative process.”

Georgina is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts and advanced studies majoring in sustainability and cultural studies. She is considering transferring to Architecture next semester.

The Margaret Brooke ‘Brooksie’ Award

The Margaret Brooke Award – ‘The Brooksie’– is awarded in the final Chapel service at the end of each term to a Boarder who exemplifies the spirit of a tenacious, courageous, compassionate and giving woman.

This Boarder consistently:

• Upholds and demonstrates the College values of Care, Courage, Respect, Integrity and Responsibility.

• Actively contributes to the Boarding community.

• Demonstrates dedication to her studies.

• Displays ‘Pymble Pride’ including wearing appropriate school uniform, being punctual and maintaining a tidy room.

Charlotte Leung

Congratulations to Charlotte Leung, our final and well-deserving Brooksie Award recipient for Term 4 2023.

Charlotte joined us at the start of 2022 from Hong Kong when she was in Year 10 and quickly became an integral member of our Boarding family. She is unfailingly kind, generous and sprinkles joy wherever she goes. She is a gentle, humble and gracious presence, much loved by her peers and staff. Charlotte is dedicated to her studies, hard working and diligent and always finds time to assist peers when stuck on a homework question. She is well known as an amazing listener and is always ready for a cup of tea (and a chat!).

Charlotte is an incredible musician and has demonstrated great courage and leadership in sharing her musical talents with our Boarding family. Despite being a new student last year, and probably a bit nervous, she stepped up and performed in Boarders’ Chapel and at wider Boarding events. The flow on effect of this was that other Boarding students were inspired to put their hand up and have a go, and we now have a number of musicians who are sharing their talents more widely. I largely credit this shift to Charlotte’s positive influence. We are beyond delighted to have Charlotte as part of our Boarding family.

Meet Parinaz – a L.O.V.E Award recipient!

CAROLYN BURGESS, DIRECTOR OF BOARDING AND JULIE SHAW, HEAD OF SOCIAL IMPACT

The L.O.V.E. Awards (Living Our Values Everyday) provide formal and public recognition to those in our College community who exemplify our values in their roles at Pymble. The focus is on recognising our ‘unsung heroes’ and ‘quiet achievers’. I am delighted to announce that our fabulous Parinaz Iravani is our most recent Boarding recipient.

It was a happy day when Parinaz joined our Boarding family in 2021. Since that time she has brought much joy, loads of energy and lots of love to the Pymble community. Parinaz demonstrates all the qualities we hope for in our girls – integrity, respect, courage and care.

There is always much excitement when the Boarders return from school to find Parinaz waiting to greet them. She can be relied on for a warm welcome and to show deep interest in how their day has been. Parinaz is a whizz and ensuring the girls are ready for their afternoon activities and always helps to make the most mundane of tasks fun. Parinaz is a much-valued colleague sharing her energy and kindness generously, always looking out for others.

But her talents don’t end at there! Parinaz is regularly the friendly face that greets visitors to the Health Care Centre. She is a treasured member of the Health Care team and just the person you want to see when you are not feeling well, ensuring you are comfortable and triaged ready to meet with the nursing staff or Dr Pham. Her efficiency, empathy and exuberance is always a welcome relief.

Somehow amongst her duties, Parinaz finds the time to volunteer to support our incoming refugee students. She goes above and beyond - acting as a translator, regularly supervising on the bus, gathering donations and stepping in to support at short notice. She appreciates the challenges of those from a non-English speaking background and manages and guides those who need support.

Parinaz is one of a kind, and a most deserving L.O.V.E. Award recipient.

Loving Love It

KATIE WHITE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF BOARDING

As the school year drew to a close and then again unfolded, the Love It program stood out as a cornerstone of our community, enriching our school life with a myriad of events that fostered camaraderie, adventure and relaxation. Here’s a reflection on the bustling activities from Term 4, 2023 and Term 1, 2024 that left their marks on our Boarders’ memory.

As the year wound down, Term 4 kept the spirit high with its array of activities. Every Friday, Balmoral Beach hosted our picnics, where the sand became our seat and the horizon our view. These gatherings were enjoyed by all Boarders as we sort to foster year group connections.

Our visit to the Kirribilli Markets turned into cultural expeditions, where the colourful stalls offered a glimpse into the creative pulse of our community through crafts and cuisines. The Twilight Concert in Wahroonga Park was a highlight, with melodies under the stars offering a perfect evening of cultural enjoyment and relaxation, reminding us of the beauty of live music and shared experiences.

The 2024 year kicked off the year with the muchanticipated Community Weekend, promising a thrilling escape from the regular routine. The adrenaline was palpable as we ventured to Raging Waters, where slides and wave pools offered a refreshing respite and a chance to bond. Not to be outdone, the Sydney Super Adventure kept the excitement high with its blend of urban exploration and physical challenges, turning the city into our playground.

Further enhancing our adventurous spirit, a trip to the Central Coast Aqua Park offered an obstacle course that tested our agility and teamwork. Each splash and tumble

into the water wasn’t just about fun; it was about building trust and teamwork. The thrill of competition continued as we ventured to basketball matches and even had the opportunity to attend a Socceroos game.

The serene surroundings of Watsons Bay and the historical charm of Wylie’s Baths provided a perfect counterbalance. The journey to get to both places was part of the fun. From trains, to buses to ferries, it was all an experience that the Boarders relished. The reward – a swim in the respective baths to cool off from the summer sun.

From splashing around in water parks to cheering at sports games, and from peaceful picnics to festive gatherings, the Love It Program in Terms 4 and 1 encapsulated the essence of school spirit and community bonding. These terms were not just about the activities themselves but about the laughter, the cheers, the chats, and the quiet moments of connection they fostered.

Community Weekend

ALICE BEVERIDGE (YEAR 10), YOUNG

Community weekends are always a highlight of the term and an important way for us to build the bonds that hold us together as Boarders. The first weekend back of the year was no exception as all the Boarders raced around the city catching buses, trains and ferries in an exciting orienteering competition.

To win this urban challenge you had to complete a range of different activities including going to a swimming spot where my group decided to go for a swim fully clothed in the Marrinawi Cove at Barangaroo, we had to find a Pymble student and Pymble teacher in the wild and find a famous person (we are still looking for the Hemsworths). The Boarders were able to take the reins with the aim of winning the most points for their Spirit House. I am not sure if this was a good idea because my group ended up lost and soaking wet on a bus in the middle of Sydney!

The next day, bright and early, we set off for our annual boarding tradition of a trip to Raging Waters with Boarders from other schools. This day is one we all look forward to each year and every time we go to the water park, we are a year closer to Mrs Burgess’s promise to brave the 360-degree loop* (vertical drop) when we are in year 12.

Some people myself included are brave (or stupid) enough to get in the tube where the floor disappears from underneath you and every year, I wonder why I do that to myself, you would think I learnt my lesson in Year 7. The day at Raging Waters is so much fun with the competitiveness of who can go on the most rides and who can sneak to the top of the express line without anyone noticing makes the day so much fun.

*CB correction here, Mrs Burgess said she would go on a water slide, she doesn’t recall mention of the 360 degree loop!

All about Avonmoore

CAROLYN BURGESS, DIRECTOR OF BOARDING

A VIP visitor

As you know, Avonmoore is the beautiful new home of our Year 7s. Many of you, however, may not know the origins of the name. Avonmoore was built as the home of Mrs Gillian Moore AO and her family. Mrs Moore was our much-loved Principal between 1989 and 2007. She was particularly special to our Boarders as she recognised the importance of establishing a safe, happy and home-like environment, and instigated a new pastoral structure with Heads of Houses and their families living onsite. It is fitting that her name features in our new Year 7 ‘home’.

It was lovely to have Mrs and Mr Moore tour their former home, and even better to see the delight on their faces as they took in the many changes. We look forward to many more visits from the Moore family in the years to come.

An opening to remember

Friday 1 March was a wonderful celebration our Boarding family with the official opening of Avonmoore followed by Icebreaker.

Avonmoore, our newest boarding house, is a happy home to our 16, Year 7 Boarders. It was wonderful to hear them recount their favourite things about the house at the opening with air conditioning, a comfy lounge and lots of friends featuring highly. We were also honoured to have ex-principal and inaugural

Avonmoore resident Mrs Gillian Moore AO and her family join us at this special event along with the Chair of the College Board, Mr Chris Fydler and the wider Pymble family.

The opening of Avonmoore was followed by Icebreaker, and I am delighted to report that we had more than 50 Boarding families in attendance! It was great chance to catch up and make new friends. A highly successful ‘post’ Icebreaker at Pymble Pub followed, and by all reports it was a fabulous night.

And while our parents were enjoying a night together, our Boarders also took the opportunity to invite a day girl friend for dinner and fun. It was a lovely chance for our Boarders to show off their boarding home and a great opportunity to strengthen the friendships.

Our Year 7 residents

CAMILLA METCALFE (YEAR 7), YOUNG AND SKYE MITCHELL (YEAR 7), ORANGE

Hi! I’m Milla, and I come from a small town called Young in NSW. And I’m Skye - I come from a rural town in the central west called Orange in NSW. Coming to Pymble from very small primary schools was a huge step for us. Here at Pymble, there are nearly 300 people in Year 7!

We loved coming and moving into Avonmoore, our new Year 7 boarding house! It is such a nice house and all of us Year 7s have made it feel so homely. We also love the day school, especially all the sport options we have here. In Term 1 we played water polo together in the same team, IT WAS SO FUN! We also play lots of other co-curricular sports separately. There is a sport for everyone to try.

On the weekend we went to watch our friends play in the water polo grand final. It was so much fun, and we were cheering on our friends so loudly. We love how the Year 7 Boarders come together in sport to watch each other and to watch sport on the television.

Another thing we really love is the Love It program, where we get to go out every weekend on an outing with all our friends. The program has a variety of things to do, from going to the Easter Show to playing putt-putt golf and going to Raging Waters. Our first term together at Pymble has been great and we can’t wait to come back after the holidays!

Our Boarders triumph in the pool

GIAAN JACKSON (YEAR 12), NYNGAN

The swimming carnival was a fantastic day for our Boarders. It was jam-packed full of Boarding, spirit and support. Over the course of the two days, our Boarders really showed up for one another, cheering each other on in each of their events and making the most of it. Our beautiful Boarding community stood out the most in our support on the sidelines of the Boarders versus day girls versus staff relay. The Boarders, despite being the smaller community, were able to be heard far above the cheers of the rest of the school helping to get our amazing swimmers first across the line on both days! This is an incredible achievement and really showcases how powerful our Boarding family is. A special shout out to our relay swimmers from Year 7 to 12 and all of the other racers who put an incredible effort. It was a very special few days and we will certainly remember them for a very long time.

A not so well-kept secret

CAROLYN BURGESS, DIRECTOR OF BOARDING

The word is out – our Pymble Boarders are a special bunch and it is wonderful to see our them being recognised for their talents beyond the bounds of the College. In January we were delighted that two of our Boarders were recognised in the Australia Day honours with Abigail Ballhausen (Year 12, 2023) awarded the Young Sportswomen of Year in Narromine and Hannah Weber (Year 11, 2024) the Walgett recipient.

Not long after we were thrilled with the news that Millie Sutcliffe (Year 10, 2024) was awarded the UAA Indigenous Athlete of the Year at the Regional Academies of Sport Awards Night. This prestigious award recognises elite young Indigenous athletes from all academies. Before joining us at Pymble, Millie was training with the Western Region Academy of Sport. Her award recognises her outstanding achievements in basketball.

Learning from the littlies

ASPEN MOORE (YEAR 12, HEAD BOARDER), DUBBO

Working at Pymble’s Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) has been an incredible journey for me over the past couple of years. It’s been a privilege to be able to spend time with the younger girls, ranging from Kindergarten to Year 6.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my job is being able to witness the growth of these young girls and to play a role in their development. Whether it’s helping them navigate the complexities of forming friendships, teaching them new skills like skipping or mastering timetables, or simply showing them how to draw stars with chalk, every moment spent with them is precious.

The joy and excitement in their eyes when they learn something new or make a connection with someone else is truly heart-warming. Each shift at OSHC brings new experiences and stories, as well as those adorable and sometimes cheeky phrases that only kids can come up with.

For me, seeing the girls every Wednesday is the highlight of my week. Their caring and generous personalities never fail to fill my heart with warmth and love. And the little gifts they sometimes bring or make, whether it’s a drawing, a piece of craft, or even a handful of flowers, serve as constant reminders of the impact we can have on each other’s lives.

In the end, it’s not just about the activities we do or the skills we teach, but the connections we forge and the memories we create together. Working at OSHC has taught me the true meaning of community and the power of small gestures to make a big difference in someone’s day.

Lunar New Year

CAROLYN BURGESS, DIRECTOR OF BOARDING

Lunar New Year is always a special time in our Boarding calendar. With students joining us from around the world we take every opportunity to celebrate such occasions. Our Boarders made trips to Chinatown and Chatswood to join in the festivities. They also enjoyed a delicious Chinese meal beautifully prepared by our Chartwells team. Our chef, Wei Min Jiang, who is of Chinese origin, spoke poignantly of the significance of Lunar New Year, wishing the girls prosperity and happiness.

To top off a happy week, our Boarding fairy godmother, Mrs Sophia Fang, continued her much loved tradition of bringing giant fuji apples, etched with the year of the dragon, for our Boarders to enjoy. In Chinese culture, the word for apple, “ping guo”, is a homophone for the word “ping”, meaning peace or tranquillity, so an apple symbolizes a wish for peace.

We were also treated us to special Lunar New Year cakes and stunning decorations which were lovingly displayed across the houses. Mrs Fang sprinkles joy wherever she goes and we are so grateful for the love and fun she shares so generously with our Boarding family.

Where are they now: Tiarna Williams (2020)

It seems like yesterday that I was literally running back to Lang House at the end of day to make sure I got first dibs at afternoon tea! I also miss my chats with Mrs Burgess (usually about The Beatles), catching up with Albert at dinner and hanging out with the girls in the common room. My time as a Boarder at Pymble did not come without its challenges, but I am so grateful for being able to experience Pymble life and I treasure the memories I made.

My life since graduating from Pymble has only gotten busier and busier… and busier.

During Year 12, I secured early entry into the University of Wollongong and I am currently in my fourth year of studying a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of International Studies. I am really enjoying my studies and I’m hopeful that one day I can work for the United Nations as a human rights lawyer. Last year, I was lucky enough to study in London on exchange for a semester. During my six months overseas, I had the opportunity to travel extensively through Europe, visiting many of the ancient sites I studied in Mr Stewart’s ancient history class! I explored France, Italy, Austria and the Netherlands, as well as many adventures in London.

Towards the end of 2023, I was awarded the prestigious New Colombo Plan scholarship by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This scholarship allows university students to study and work in the Indo-Pacific region. As part of this scholarship, I will be travelling to Singapore later this year to continue my studies and also undertake an internship at the Australian High Commission in Singapore. I am super excited about this opportunity, and I’d like to give a massive shout out to Miss Howie for writing a fabulous reference for me that was submitted as part of my application for this scholarship.

Throughout my studies and travel, I’ve continued to compete in tennis, playing for my university in Australia and also overseas. It’s very different tracking through snow to play tennis outdoors! I recently returned from the Australian Open in Melbourne where I was helping out as a mentor and coach during the Evonne Goolagong National Development Camp. Shout out to the Pymble Boarders, Giselle and Sophia, who attended the camp with me and did an amazing job!

Currently, I’m completing an internship in Melbourne at Australia’s best law firm. I’ll be back home soon

to start my fourth year of university. When I get back from Singapore, I will have one more year left to complete in my degree and then I’ll be commencing my Masters. Life is very busy but exciting, fulfilling and rewarding.

My best wishes to all the current Boarders. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about your time at Pymble, post-school life or just to have a chat. Make the most of your studies and the world will open its doors for you too.

Lots of love, Tiarna xo

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.

ASPEN MOORE (YEAR 12, HEAD BOARDER), DUBBO AND SKYE POCKLEY (YEAR 12, HEAD BOARDER), BYRON BAY

In Term 4 2024, we recognised Mrs Enid O’Carroll who has been a fabulous friend to Boarding and key to preserving and celebrating the long and fine tradition of Boarding at Pymble. Marden House and Lang House are original buildings in the College, built in 1916. Goodlet House came not much later in 1926. As you can imagine, the boarding houses were filled with beautiful furniture and fabulous traditions.

As the College’s archivist, Mrs O’Carroll has ensured that these treasured objects have found their way home, allowing current and future generations of Boarders to enjoy them as their Boarding sisters did in the past. Just some examples of these treasures include the historical artworks that adorn our houses, the Lang ‘love seat’ and the historical honour boards displayed in the Boarders’ Dining Room. Mrs O’Carroll has also shared with us traditions such as the Lang House Warming which dates back to 1917 and was happily celebrated by our latest Lang residents just last week. She has brought a renewed sense of tradition and great joy to our Boarding family and she will go down in our history books as a true friend.

Not only are the fabulous staff at the College a significant support to our Boarders, but of course, there are so many wonderful families in our day school who so kindly help our Boarders with a place to stay, transport to and from sport, and if your lucky some yummy meals. In Term 4 we recognised the Fisher family, Billie (Year 11) and Ellie (Year 8) for constantly helping our boarding family with regular taxiing to and from sport as well as being a genuine smiling face around the College.

A journey of discovery

CAROLYN BURGESS, DIRECTOR OF BOARDING

Our families place enormous trust in the College when they enrol their daughters as Boarders at Pymble. As staff, we work hard to deliver exemplary care and outstanding opportunities to honour this trust and staying abreast of best practice in the world of residential care is key to our success. A planned and extensive professional learning program is integral to this endeavour and I was delighted to be awarded the Kate Mason Professional Learning Grant to attend The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) Annual Conference and visit a number of international boarding schools.

After much research and a focused brief, I set off for the United States on November 6, 2023. My first stop was Emma Willard, a Boarding school established in 1814 and set on 137 beautiful acres in upstate New York. With a theme of “Find your voice here, then use it to serve and shape the world”, and an enrolment of 356 students including 50 boarders, the school felt very aligned with Pymble in vision, if not student numbers.

With a deep-rooted history of more than 200 hundred years, it is easy to understand the importance of tradition at the school. One of my favourite rituals was the recognition of the longest serving staff member in a ceremony called the ‘Wearer of the Red Hat’. This staff member leads the academic processions for the start, middle and end of term. Perhaps the biggest incentive, for Pymble staff at least, is the gift of a

parking space! There is also an annual senior play, tea ceremonies and ring gifting all of which hold a long and treasured history for the staff and students.

A few hours away, heading southeast, I visited Miss Porter’s School, in Farmington Connecticut. Established 1843 and set on 55 acres, Miss Porter’s calls their students to “shape a changing world”. This was evident in a strong focus on international studies in an interdisciplinary curriculum and a culture of giving back. Like Emma Willard, the school has a relatively small population of 336 students but with a booming boarding community of 213. With the high ratio of boarders to day students, the school was very much focused on residential life. The boarders live across five Houses and it was interesting to unpack their move from a horizontal to a vertical structure just as we have done here at Pymble. I was delighted to hear how successful the change has been and keen to implement some of their initiatives.

Between 15 and 17 November, I was fully immersed in the TABS Annual Conference which was held in Boston, Massachusetts. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with Boarding staff from around the United States and Canada with over 500 delegates attending. There were a host of opportunities to learn including the following breakout sessions which I attended:

• Building cultures of mental wellness: Strategic

approaches to supporting mental health

• When students thrive: Strategies that promote student mental health in Boarding schools

• How collaboration creates champions

• Design matters: Creating spaces and places for belonging

• The cultural carriers of the School: What can Boarding schools do to empower, equip and deploy the senior class?

• Anticipating and preparing for student crises in a Boarding school

• Rethinking the triple threat – building a house for staff and student thriving

• Preventing intense homesickness at Boarding schools

One of the most interesting keynote speakers was David Oh, PhD, Principal Systems Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who spoke of his journey “From Dorm Rooms to Mars Dunes: Reflections on a Boarding School Launchpad to Space Exploration.” It was both fascinating and affirming to hear of the opportunities and dispositions that David’s time at Boarding school afforded him and how these were directly related to his future career. Sneaking into the science laboratories after lights out is perhaps one of his highlights which I will not be sharing widely with our Boarders!

Following the conference I travelled to Canada to visit more boarding schools starting with Ridley College, situated on 90 acres in the Niagara region. A coeducational college, founded in 1889, Ridley is home to 375 Boarders in addition to 415 day students. With more than 58 countries represented, the opportunity to attend school ‘with the world’, and prepare for a life of leadership and impact is high on the agenda. An authentic sense of belonging is fostered through a strong boarding culture with every “Ridleian”, day and boarding, belonging to one of ten boarding houses.

Each of the houses has its own unique personalitymascot, chants, colours, traditions and history and has given me much thought about how such an arrangement might enhance our boarding culture.

Travelling on to Toronto, Canada I visited Branksome Hall and Havergal College, founded in 1903 and 1894 respectively. Both schools were home to around 1,000 students, each with a boarding community of around 50. It was interesting to compare the facilities routines and opportunities available for Boarders and I enjoyed the opportunity to meet with boarding students and hear of their experiences. For all of them it was the plethora of opportunities, including an outstanding education and entry to prestigious universities, along with the camaraderie that is part and parcel of boarding life that were standout gifts.

In between these destinations I visited Yale and Harvard Universities, along with a number of museums and picked up much along the way. From the allocations of room mates to the organisation of dining to the strong traditions and extensive alumni that unite residential communities, there was much valuable learning and opportunities I hope to use to enrich the experience for our Pymble Boarding family.

My deep gratitude goes to the College for this wonderful opportunity to grow and learn. I will continue to work with the Boarding team to strengthen the development of character, resilience and optimism amongst our Boarders, build their strong sense of identity and provide life changing opportunities. I am particularly keen to harness the knowledge and experiences of our wonderful alumni. There are many ideas that I will borrow and build, to ensure Pymble Boarding continues to provide exemplary care for our Boarders while developing courageous, caring, respectful, responsible young women of integrity who will go on to change the world.

A View From My Window: Bourke

ALLIE RITCHIE (YEAR 7), BOURKE

Hi, my name is Allie Ritchie, I am 12 years old and I come from Bourke in north-west NSW.

I was born in Sydney and I live with my mum (Prue), dad (Ben) and my siblings, Campbell and Georgie. I have three cats and four dogs and at the moment there are also six puppies.

My mum works in town at the early childhood centre. My dad also works in town at his business, selling stuff like fencing gear, livestock handling, steel, building supplies and more.

My brother is in Year 9 at The King’s School and my sister is in Year 6 at St Ignatius in Bourke; she is coming to Pymble in 2025.

Bourke is famous for its Splashe Cola, which is a like Coke but better. We also have two great mountains, Mount Oxley and the other Mount Gundabooka. Bourke also has the famous Darling River.

When I look out my window, I see my siblings tackling each other, my dad starting a fire and my mum hanging out the washing. After my brother tackles my sister a bit too hard, Georgie comes back inside and makes lunch, Campbell goes and does something else.

I can see the chooks walking around outside and the dogs barking at them through the fence. Out my window,

my dog is laying down with its puppies and resting.

The journey from Bourke to Pymble takes about ten hours, (depending on which parent is driving!) and 13 if I catch the bus back.

Growing up in Bourke I was used to having as much space I wanted at a time. But, now I am happy to be here with my friends.

I am proud to be a kid from Bourke, but I am equally proud to be a Boarder at Pymble. When I look out my window at Pymble, I see my home away from home.

A View From My Window: Gravesend

LOLA BARWICK (YEAR 10), GRAVESEND

My name is Lola Barwick, I’m in Year 10 and I started boarding at Pymble at the beginning of last year. When I look out of my window at home I see a lot of crops, paddocks and animals.

I live on a property in north-west NSW near a small town called Gravesend with my mum, dad and three other sisters. Tilly, who has just graduated from Pymble in 2023, Poppy in Year 8 who will be starting at Pymlbe next year and Cybelle in Year 2 who won’t be coming to Pymble for a little while.

I love being home and hanging out with all my cousins who live on properties surrounding me, and other

friends from home who I went to school with in year 7 and 8. Usually at home I would spend time working on our farm, swimming in the river or staying at my cousin’s house. I love to spend time at home with my family and helping with things like mustering, shearing, branding and harvest time.

I love living on a property and being able to also come to Sydney through boarding.

Coming to Pymble was a big change for me from my old school of only 150 kids from year 7 to 12 and only having six kids in my grade in primary school, to now having almost 300 in

my year at Pymble. I love the change, though, and being able to meet so many new people.

I love to come back to Boarding to see all my friends, spend time with them on weekends and at school, going to the beach and going shopping, but most of all being able to invite them to see my home in Gravesend during the holidays.

You’ve got a sister in me

CAROLYN BURGESS, DIRECTOR OF BOARDING

The Boarding sisterhood is the fabric of residential life at Pymble and this year our Boarding Prefects went out of their way to acknowledge and celebrate this long held tenet with their theme for 2023. As you will see in the artwork, “You’ve got a sister in me” beautifully captures the Boarder spirit – welcoming, caring, tenacious, courageous, diverse, inclusive, sporty and fun.

Our Big Sister, Little Sister program is an obvious way in which the Boarding sisterhood shines through in our everyday interactions. Year 10 and 11 Boarders volunteer to be that special peer on whom our youngest Boarders can rely. The foundations of these relationships begins long

before our new Boarders’ first day with online meetings, a transition day outing and sleepover and correspondence over the holidays. This ensures our fledgling Boarders are well equipped and comfortable in starting their Pymble journey. Our Big Sisters build on this relationship over the year through regular interactions including shopping trips, weekly ‘tuck ins’ and by being a wonderful sounding board, offering informed and unfiltered advice.

Spirit House Circles are another way in which we celebrate the special bonds that unite our Boarders. Each Tuesday night our Boarding Sisters come together in vertical house groupings for contests, challenges

and conversation. With a curated mix of Year 7 through to Year 12 Boarders, who stay as a family group over their years in Boarding, there is a range of perspectives and lots of fun as each group of girls build lasting and deep connections with each other. It is through these house events that the winners of the hotly contested Angus Cup and Spirit House Cup are determined.

The Boarding sisterhood is never more on show than during Boarders’ Week when all things Boarding are celebrated. In a series of a strategically selected and sometimes whacky sporting events, the Boarders go all out to demonstrate their sporting prowess. Of course, this

doesn’t always go to plan but it is always good fun and wonderful to see our Boarders uniting across the year groups in a full-on attempt to win the day girls versus Boarders’ cup. This fabulous week is also an opportunity to celebrate and thank the wider Pymble family who play such an important role in making living on campus so special.

Even over the term break, our Boarders miss each other and it is always a pleasure to hear of holidays spent in faraway locations where our Boarders have taken the opportunity to open their homes to their Boarding sisters. Locations as far and wide as Dubai, Bourke and Vanuatu have been just some of the destinations this year.

And if there was ever any doubt of the enduring nature of the Boarding sisterhood, look no further than our 1958 alumni, four of whom joined us in Orange in September. Meg Kierath, Billie O’Neill, Jenny Brazier and Lesley Williams braved the cold and stormy weather to celebrate all things Pymble with present, past and prospective families. These incredible women exemplify the special bonds that link our Boarders so tightly. It is wonderful to see the friendships that were forged here at Pymble, thriving 65 years later and a fitting representation of the lasting gift of a Pymble education.

Watch us soar in 2024 2

Congratulations to our Year 12 prefects who have once again wowed us with their theme for the year “Watch us soar in 2024”.

These amazing young women embody the Boarder spirit, modelling excellent behaviour and looking out for their Boarding sisters with great kindness and care. Soaring is something in which they revel and their encouragement of our younger Boarders to make the most of the opportunities on offer at Pymble is admirable.

The beautiful artwork, conceived and produced by our very talented Graphic Design Manager, Rachel Fairbairn, reflects the diversity of locations from which our Boarders join us and the variety of interests in which they excel, all with a touch of signature pink! It is a beautiful depiction of the way our Boarders take flight with the opportunities on offer at Pymble