Keeping Up With The Boarders - Autumn 2023

Boarders

Thinking Pink

I have the pleasure of writing this column hot on the heels of a wonderful celebration of our Boarding family – Boarders’ Week! Under the theme of Boarding Sisters Unite, this special week seems to get better every year, bringing the entire College together to celebrate all things Boarding.

From our pink-bedecked Boarding Houses and the adorned school offices to the sea of Boarders proudly wearing their pink and white Boarding jerseys as they leave for class each morning, Boarders’ Week is a strong visual representation of the way Boarding filters through every aspect of College life.

This special week is also a terrific opportunity for our Boarding family to share stories, showcase our talented girls,

thank the wider Pymble family for their support and, most importantly, have fun. But as you will read, this opportunity is not limited to just one week of the year –our girls shine brightly every single day!

Carolyn Burgess DIRECTOR OF BOARDING

Goodbye, and Hello!

NANDIKA SINGH [YEAR 10], DUBAI

At the end of last term, we said a temporary farewell to Holly Burke, our much-loved Head of Year 10 Boarding, as she headed off on maternity leave, where I had the pleasure of thanking her for making our lives in Boarding so special.

Whether I’ve had a bad day at school or I’m nervous about a test, I know Holly will always be there to share a hot chocolate with and give me a hug when I need one. But it’s not just me – the amount of effort Holly puts into getting to know each and every one of us and congratulating us for every achievement is truly commendable. We can’t wait to have you back with us, Holly.

Update

Holly and her husband Mitch (along with their playful dog Scout) welcomed beautiful baby Eden Lin-Shu Burke into their family on Monday 3 April 2023. Eden is going to have a big Boarding family to grow up with, and we all can’t wait to meet her.

Living the Rowing Life in Boarding

SKYE POCKLEY [YEAR 11] AND PHOEBE POCKLEY [YEAR 8], BYRON BAY

Rowing is a massive commitment. As a current Year 11 student, balancing eight or nine training sessions a week with a large amount of schoolwork can be very challenging, but that’s also what I love about it.

As a rower you put your mind and body on the line every session, pushing yourself to new limits with every stroke. Training sessions are mentally and physically demanding to an extent that you just don’t know how taxing it is unless you’ve experienced it yourself.

I began rowing in Year 7, fell in love with it immediately and have loved

it ever since. I wake up at 4.00am two or three times a week, tiptoe through the Boarding house past sleeping girls and wait at the door for security to open it. I then walk with the other girls through the dark, quiet college to James Kelso Field, with the occasional laugh when someone runs into something half asleep.

Although I occasionally fall asleep in class, and often walk up the stairs with aching muscles, I know that it’s all worth it as I work towards my number one goal: Head of the River, a regatta which marks the end of the rowing season for senior crews.

Rowing is extremely rewarding, and as you come towards the last selections of the season and see how much you’re improving in those last few weeks, you realise that all your hard work has paid off and it’s one of the best feelings ever. Head of the River isn’t always the end of the tunnel, however, as for many there are more seasons to come, and for some, nationals are just around the corner.

For non-rowers, Head of the River is a day that gets brought up by the rowers way too much. But for the rowers, Head of the River is not just a two-kilometre race; in Seniors, you are racing for the Year 12s who are

ending their school rowing journey, the coaches that pour their time and energy into helping their crew achieve success and the rowers who fulfil their own goal of just making it to the end.

The number of Boarders within the Pymble Rowing program is just amazing, so much so that the Dining Hall is a lot quieter when there is rowing in the afternoon. Whether it’s the Year 7s trying rowing for the first time or the Year 12s in their final season, Boarders are always involved making the experience so much more enjoyable.

Racing is such a crucial part of rowing. Sitting ready at three-quarter slide, waiting for the red light to turn to green. Adrenaline pumping through your body, ready for the next seven minutes of absolute hell. Your mental game is on, and all the training you’ve done leading up to this moment has prepared you for when things get hard. Breathing.

But as much as you prepare yourself, you are doing this with eight other girls who are giving their all both for the person in front of them and the person behind. Rowing is the

ultimate team sport and, quite frankly, training cannot go ahead unless every person in the boat is there.

Rowing past the Pymble tent with screaming girls running down the course with you is an amazing feeling. Your arms and legs are numb, and your lungs are screaming, but when you hear them cheering you on you can’t help but push through the pain.

What I love most about rowing is as soon as the season ends, and no matter how tired I am, I just want to start rowing again.

It’s very beneficial to be a rower whilst boarding at Pymble; not only do we get to wake up 20 minutes later than everyone else, but we also walk to and from sessions, eat, sleep and row together, which builds the most amazing comradery with the other girls.

Boarding offers great support to rowers, not only saving us dinners when we get home late from training, but also looking after the small things such as letting security know of our early departures and providing the occasional taxi service to and from rowing.

Thank you to all the Boarding staff for all your help and support this season. I promise it does not go unnoticed.

And over to Phoebe...

Although I only started rowing last season, I have loved every minute of it. The ‘Learn to Row’ rowing division doesn’t have to train in the early morning like the older girls, but we still have long, hard sessions after school and on the weekends.

Boarding as a rower has been a great experience and I always feel supported and well looked after. An example of this is how the Boarding staff organise late dinners and keep them warm for us until we get back from training. In the lead up to Head of the River, which for most rowers is the biggest race of the year, the Boarding staff made extra food available for us to ensure that we were well fed before the event.

As well as late dinners, they also pack lunches and breakfast stacks for us when we have early morning regattas. We are so grateful for all the things the Boarding staff do for us, including keeping us well fed, to make rowing a lot easier for us.

Keeping up with Hannah

HANNAH WEBER [YEAR 10], WALGETT

Wow, the summer holidays were a blur. All our farms got totally inundated by flood water, and there was so little land not totally under water that Dad needed to check the crops using a helicopter!

We managed to harvest around 20 per cent of our winter crops, with the grain quality remaining surprisingly good even though it had all been under muddy water. We harvested right up until Christmas Day. We gave ourselves a couple of days off, but then went right back to finish off the harvest salvage job.

Dad said it was already a cruel year due to high cropping input costs, only to be further battered by a flood at the end. My harvest job was operating a Case IH Steiger 500 Rowtrac with a 36-tonne Coolamon Chaser Bin – for about five weeks straight!

One benefit from the floods was a full moisture profile in our soil, however, and ironically, we are now waiting for some decent rain to plant winter crops and join up the surface and sub soil moisture bands.

Another is the top up of the waterways and rivers. I spent a fair bit of my downtime fishing on our river block,

catching carp using corn kernels as bait. Sadly, I didn’t witness or catch any yellowbelly or cod.

European carp have really wreaked havoc on our native fish; they muddy the water, eat the other species’ fingerlings and dominate the river. However, I did catch plenty of crayfish (yabbies). They are crazy little critters meaning I have to concentrate really hard when picking them up from behind their nippers!

The horses enjoyed a nice summer break. It was way too boggy and dangerous to ride during the flood, and when the water dried up it was too hot with a zillion insects to enjoy a peaceful ride. However, I did get to take Friday out for a quick ride which we both really enjoyed.

Mum bought some new chickens to try and breed some lovely purebreds. We have silver and gold-laced Wyandottes, Plymouth Rocks and some crazy little red and black Anconas. Judging by their speed, I’m sure the Anconas are genetically related to roadrunners.

I also qualified for the Sydney Royal in poultry judging. It was such a great experience, and there’s a lot more to a good-looking chook than most people think.

My brother George has finished his diesel mechanic apprenticeship meaning he is now a fully qualified diesel mechanic. He is working at home and is busy all the time. My sister Lizzy almost has her pilot license, and I can’t wait until she’s able to fly us around.

I’m finally going to get my learner license this yearMum and Dad can’t wait! Accumulating hours in my logbook isn’t going to be a problem seeing as we live in Walgett and have to travel long distances to get anywhere. Dad bought me a red commodore and it will be great when I can finally drive it.

I’ve had a really busy and productive rugby season so far. I joined Lindfield Junior Rugby Club and we had a great ‘sizzling sevens’ pre-season in Term 1. I am now in Under 16 Lindfield 15s and confident I made it to state reps for Gordon taking place over the June long weekend in Port Macquarie, and I’m representing Walgett in the Under 16s Rugby League Sevens at the Nations of Origin in Penrith in July. I am also excited beyond belief to travel to Lyon, France in September with the Pymble Rugby 7’s Rugby World Cup Tour team.

I have had a hectic year with Pymble Cadets so far. We have been learning a lot about field logistics and communications using WTSS (weapon training simulation system). Our AFX Cadet Camp in Singleton after Easter was once again such a great experience, with a highlight being getting to use the WTSS. I proudly carried the Australian flag for our Walgett ANZAC Day March and got to meet the cenotaph guards and chat about various aspects of the Australian Defence Force.

Despite being busy, I really enjoyed the hectic schedule of the Pymble Cattle Team last term. We prepared Terry, Tommy and Tigger so well for the Castle Hill Youth Expo and the Sydney Royal Easter Show. I had my first official parading event, and was chosen as a reserve for the Sydney Show. I am planning on attending the Hereford Youth Camp in Parkes in the July school holidays where I hope to learn a lot more about cattle show preparation, showmanship and judging.

New Boarders on the Block

EMMA ROBERTS [YEAR 7], NARROMINE

Boarding at Pymble is so great –where do I start? The first day of school and Boarding were both very nerve-racking. Arriving on Sunday afternoon, everyone was eager to find out who they would be sharing a room with. Dad got my suitcase out of the car whilst Mum was helping me unpack my bag, trying to put my belongings in places she thought were most sensible, but also knowing that I would eventually change it all around. Mum and Dad left for the day, but I knew they were coming back the very next day to drop off my sister in Year 9.

After they left the next day, that’s when the homesickness kicked in, knowing they weren’t coming back for a couple of weeks. I thought that I would be crying for days but, with the support of the beautiful staff and my new Boarding sisters, I was surprisingly alright.

I think it was sport that distracted me from being away from home, doing two sessions a week of both Rowing and Water Polo. Trying to juggle schoolwork at the same time was tough but once I got into a routine that I liked, I did my very best to stick to it. The Learn It program is super helpful where we get a set time of a couple of hours each day, except

Friday, so we don’t have to take it out of our own free time.

Friday afternoons are the best days ever not having to do homework, getting ready for Saturday sport and waiting for Mum and Dad to pick me up and take me out for the weekend. If you aren’t out with your parents, you are in house participating in the Love It program which is full of fun activities over the weekend.

In the middle of Week 7 we completed our room preferences to nominate who we wanted to be in a room with for Term 2. Once we found out about what rooms we were in and who we were staying with, everyone was bursting with excitement.

Weeks 8 and 9 of Term 1 were the quickest weeks yet! If you aren’t at Learn It, you’re at sport, and if you’re not at sport you are packing your rooms up getting ready to go home for the holidays.

There were tubs and suitcases outside of our rooms to help us move our belongings. Everyone was busy packing things up from their old room ready to move into their new room, but at the same time knowing that they were going to be packing everything away again in their suitcases for holidays.

The last couple of days of Term 1 were so good. We had parties in nearly all my classes and didn’t do much work because we had already completed all the content for the term. The last period of the last day of term was also amazing. When I got out of class I was so proud of myself because I successfully finished my first term of high school. It was good having an idea of what the following term would be like and knowing the hardest bits, such as working out friendships and classes, were out of the way.

Looking back, I think Term 1 was amazing because I met so many new people and couldn’t wait to be back at school to see my friends again.

Boarding Prefects Unite

INDI TISHLER [YEAR 12], LIGHTNING RIDGE

My name is Indi Tishler and I am from Lightning Ridge, approximately nine and a half hours north west of Sydney. Lightning Ridge is the home of black opal, and my parents are opal miners. We live on a 400-acre property just out of town called Baroona. I have two siblings, Jett and Xhana, and live with my parents. I also have two dogs, seven pigs and, last but not least, our two beautiful birds.

I am the 2023 Community Engagement Boarding Prefect; my role is to work collaboratively alongside the Boarding Leadership Team to encourage participation in Boarding life. Furthermore, I have a responsibility to provide leadership and support in matters relating to the diverse environment in which we live. I also initiate opportunities for Pymble to reach out to others, with one of my favourite jobs being bringing fellow Boarders together so we can share ideas, support each other and have fun.

Last term my fellow Boarding Prefects and I met with Boarding leaders from Abbotsleigh, Ravenswood,

Wenona and Knox. We gathered in the Lang House lounge room where we talked, laughed and enjoyed afternoon tea. This was an amazing opportunity to get to know new people from other schools and discuss our goals, aspirations for the year and roles as prefects. It was so nice to meet fellow Boarding prefects from other schools, and we hope to meet again soon.

HEAD BOARDERS ABIGAIL [ABBY] BALLHAUSEN [YEAR 12], NARROMINE AND AMARLEY BRON [YEAR 12], REDFERN

It was with great excitement that our Year 12 Prefects began a new tradition of choosing a theme for each year. A focus on the Boarding sisterhood was an easy choice, and the by-line 2023 – You’ve got a sister in me aligned perfectly with the day school theme of 2023 – You’ve got a friend in me

In close collaboration with our amazing graphic designer, Rachel Fairbairn, a beautiful artwork was developed to reflect the diversity, backgrounds and hometowns of our Boarders. We are delighted with the special touches – the hopping kangaroos, the traditional Indigenous patterns, the sporting references and even the ‘Brooksie’ rose.

The artwork will be displayed above the Dining Room steps as a reminder of the Boarding Sisterhood with a more permanent, framed edition hung inside. We can’t wait to see the collection of artworks grow over the years and look forward to building on our very special Boarding sisterhood.

You’ve got a sister in me!

Mads the Equestrian

MADELEINE GADEN [YEAR 7], DUNEDOO

Horse riding has been a passion of mine ever since I was big enough to sit on a horse. I am lucky to have parents that love horses, too. My mum, dad and grandmother all rode, so riding horses is definitely in my genes.

I used to go to Dunedoo Pony Club with my brother, but I had to wait until I was two and a half years old to actually ride, so instead I would take my pony, Polly, and lead her around. Once I turned two and a half I attended my first pony camp, and since then, it has been near impossible to keep me off a horse.

Over the years I have enjoyed my love of show riding, competing at state and national events all over the country. Living on a property at Dunedoo means there is a lot of travelling, and I am very grateful to my parents for driving me and my ponies around the countryside.

In my life I have been very fortunate to have had some beautiful ponies to ride, but most recently I have been riding my very special Galloway named Rooster. I fell in love with him a couple of years ago when I was asked to ride him for his previous owner at a show, and we were then later able to purchase him. Rooster has a few quirks, and he is real character, but I have so much fun riding him and I love him so much.

Rooster and I had a great year competing last year, overwhelming winning six national titles at the Equestrian Australia Show Horse Nationals, Show Horse Council of Australasia Grand Nationals, Australian Interschool National Championships and Southern Cross Show Horse Spectacular.

Coming to Pymble as a Boarder this year has been a big change for me in many ways, but particularly for Rooster

as we made the decision to also send him to boarding school to live with my riding coach in Queensland.

Sadly, my daily riding routine has changed, but my coach is keeping him active and well cared for, enabling me to properly settle into Boarding. And when I’ve needed to compete with Rooster, my coach has brought him down to all the shows in Sydney and Canberra.

While I don’t ride as much as I used to, it makes me work harder at the competitions I do compete at. I have great support from my parents and coach, as well as a very special partnership with Rooster. I believe that if you remember to have fun and, most importantly, believe in yourself, you can do anything.

Amazingly, I have had a great first term competing with Rooster at the Equestrian NSW Show Horse Spectacular, Show Horse Council of Australasia Grand Nationals, Canberra Royal and Sydney Royal Easter Show, both winning and placing in child, open and riding championships.

My biggest achievement was at the Show Horse Council of Australasia Grand Nationals at the beginning of April where I won the Grand National Child’s Galloway Championship for the second year in a row.

I also competed at, and amazingly won, the Grand National Open Large Galloway, making me the youngest person to ever ride in the event at 12 years old where I was up against adults and professionals. It was truly amazing with lots and lots of happy tears.

And in case you are wondering, Rooster is currently at home having a well-earned rest with Mum and Dad who are spoiling him with lots of liquorice and carrots.

Our Pink Ladies

Pink Ladies are special people who enhance the lives of our Boarders in a multitude of ways. These are our choices for the last two terms.

HEAD PREFECTS ABIGAIL [ABBY] BALLHAUSEN [YEAR 12], NARROMINE AND AMARLEY BRON [YEAR 12], REDFERN

Thank you to all our day school friends and families that make our time in Boarding easier, happier and much more connected. You help us out with lifts, sleepovers and home-made treats and we are super grateful for all that you do.

Special thanks go to our Pink Lady for Term 1 Charlotte Tidemann (Year 9). For a number of years, Charlotte and her parents Craig and Amanda have transported our Boarders around to various sporting commitments including Rugby Sevens and AFL. They are always so kind and accommodating and never fail to go out of their way to ensure our Boarders can enjoy activities beyond the confines of Pymble. We are so grateful!

Aside from our day school families, all day school staff go out of their way to support and make our life at Pymble so much sweeter. Just one example of this is the extra effort our teachers put in to give Boarding parents the opportunity to meet them face to face.

Given most of our families live at least five hours away from the College, it is a very rare and much-valued opportunity for our parents. This would not have been possible without the vision of Mr Jake Plaskett and Ms Penny Prosser who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this possible. Thank you for being our Term 1 Pink Ladies!

Pymble Gives Back - Boarder Style

Football star kicking goal for others

ALETHEA [LETHY] LEVY [YEAR 10], WAGGA WAGGA

In December 2022, I was given the opportunity to be part of an invitational football team that travelled to Fiji. This was the first time the Ultimate Fiji Soccer tournament had run since the Covid pandemic so only a few select teams were asked to play. Having already travelled overseas to less-developed communities, I was aware of not only their incredible passion for football, but also of the overwhelming lack of boots and kits.

I had a lot of used kits at home, but all my boots were beyond use for donation, so I decided to reach out and ask for donations from my football communities at Northern Tigers and in my hometown of Wagga Wagga. The support from everyone was incredible, with Wagga Football and Wagga Futsal also donating complete team kits, soccer balls and bags. Once the word spread through the school, both Boarders and day girls started bringing me more and more boots. I was overwhelmed with donations! My entire 33 kilograms of luggage allowance was full of kits, boots and footballs. Thankfully, my dad packs light!

The bulk of the donations that I had were given directly to local Fijian football clubs to use. When we played each of our five games over the week, I took the smaller kits, boots and footballs and gave them to the younger children watching us play. The delight and joy on their faces was priceless; they were so excited and grateful. The boots were especially well received.

The tournament was a fabulous experience and a great way for me to finish off a very busy 2022 season. We won the tournament and also had the opportunity to play the U16 Fijian national side. This was an opportunity for me to give something back to the sport that gives me so much.

Ella Gives Back

ELLA GRAHAM [YEAR 11], PORT MACQUARIE

The Time is Precious Foundation aims to raise funds to promote and provide for Bowel Cancer Australia. Raising money for cancer has a very special place in my heart as my mum, aunty and nan have suffered from cancer in the past. On Saturday 11 March I worked at the foundation’s biannual ball held at the Hyatt Regency Sydney. It was a long night, starting at 3.00pm and finishing at 1.00am with over 400 guests in attendance. Throughout the evening I assisted with setting up, checking in guests, helping guests find their tables and assisting with payments. It was a great experience, and I was grateful to be able to assist in this important work as together we raised nearly $80,000.

The Country Women’s Association

INDI

TISHLER [YEAR 12], LIGHTNING RIDGE

Earlier this term we were lucky enough to be visited by Lyn Braico from the Country Women’s Association (CWA) who opened a world of possibilities for us Boarders to give back. This wonderful organisation has been supporting women, children and their communities for over 100 years and there was much excitement as we learnt about ways that Pymble Boarders could get involved. We took the opportunity on the last day of Boarders’ Week to have a sausage sizzle to raise funds and were very happy to raise over $700 for the CWA.

The

Balmoral Swim

EVIE LEAHY [YEAR 10], COOTAMUNDRA

What a morning! On Sunday 2 April we braved the weather to raise money for research into children’s cancer by competing in the school relay section of the Balmoral Swim for Cancer. We had three junior teams and one intermediate team compete. All the Boarders were outstanding and fantastic ambassadors for the College, and we were delighted to place third in the intermediate section of the competition. Better yet, we raised almost $700 for children’s cancer research. Fellow Boarder Alice Beveridge and I even found our way onto the Today Show during the weather segment!

Swift Superstar

AMARLEY BRON [YEAR 12], TAREE

Year 12

Boarder Grace Whyte has been elevated from the QBE Swifts Academy to take her place as a training partner in the senior squad. She is a dual netball and basketball state representative and a specialist shooter.

Grace was vice captain of the gold medal-winning NSW 17/U team at the 2022 nationals in Hobart and was then also selected in the Australian 17/U squad.

“My most memorable achievement was nationals last year where I was awarded most valuable player of the grand final and also player of the tournament,” said Grace.

“Being a part of the Swifts is a privilege; I have grown up watching them and have been inspired by the players and club throughout my entire netball journey.

“I have loved being with the NSW State Team Program, the Netball NSW Premier League and the QBE Swifts

Academy, and I must thank them for helping me get to this level. I also must thank my junior coaches who have guided me since I started playing. And, of course, my mum and family who are always there for me - they are so supportive.

“I am now fortunate to have a host of world-class athletes to learn from. I want to work hard and learn as much as I can to try and reach the next level.”

With 2023 marking the Year of Youth across the Commonwealth, Grace is on a pathway to a securing her place to compete at the Commonwealth Games.

“My goals for the future would be to earn a position in a Suncorp Super Netball Team, as well as play for the Diamonds and compete at the Commonwealth Games –all while enjoying every moment,” Grace said.

Our Mardi – a L.O.V.E Award recipient!

CAROLYN BURGESS

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

We have been lucky enough to have Mardi, Head of Year 7 and 8 Boarding as a member of our Boarding family for more than ten years. Mardi absolutely lives the College values, devoting herself to her role and the girls in her care. Just one example of this was in 2021 when she relocated to live on campus so she could work with the Year 12 Boarders in Lang House during the peak of lockdown.

Mardi consistently goes above and beyond to mentor younger staff members and ease the way for those new to the team. She also rearranges her schedule to assist when we have staffing challenges, often giving up her Saturday nights to come and work in Marden House. She regularly calls in when she is not on shift, sometimes just to say hello, other times to follow up on something she did not want overlooked, but mostly to ensure the Boarders are feeling happy and at home.

She is the voice of good sense, always tempered with great care and good humour, consistently demonstrating sound judgement and a commitment to Pymble. ‘Mards’ is universally loved by the girls and is thouroughly respected by families and staff alike. I can’t think of a more deserving recipient for this award. Congratulations, Mardi!

Boarders Get Baking: Chocolate 101

SIENNA MELTON [YEAR 8], WEE WAA

One of the many fun activities we get to do in Boarding is Boarders Get Baking, a fantastic opportunity to come together with our Boarding sisters on Friday afternoons and cook yummy food.

Each week we cook a different treat, whether it be Mars Bar slice or Oreo brownies, and once a term we are fortunate enough to take part in a special workshop. This term we were able to work with Paul from Du Plessy Pralin & Otello Chocolates Patisserie at West Pymble who taught us how to temper chocolate and make Easter eggs.

Everyone who attended the workshop was able to pour chocolate into the moulds, pick out the moulds, add caramel and do all sorts of fun and different things with their eggs. The afternoon was filled with fun and laughter (and lots of chocolate!) and was such a great opportunity for all involved.

Meet our Spirit House Captains

VICTORIA BURTON, COONAMBLE; HOLLY CRAIG, VIETNAM; ANDIE HODDER, FORBES; GIAAN JACKSON, NYNGAN; RORI LEMON, DUBBO; CHARLOTTE LEUNG, HONG KONG; SKYE POCKLEY, BYRON BAY; ERICA WILLIAMS, GOULBURN.

As Boarding’s 2023 Spirit House Captains, we hold strategic and operational responsibilities to help provide feedback on many aspects of Boarding, while also providing a strong sense of community between our Boarding year groups.

Currently, there are eight Spirit House Captains with two representatives for each Boarding Spirit HouseMarden, Goodlet, Hammond and Lang. We have the responsibilities of organising and running fortnightly chapel services and Spirit House games/activities, planning community weekends and supporting the Year 12 prefects and staff.

In Term 1, we helped organise multiple fun and engaging activities to build connections throughout our Boarding community. For example, in Spirit House Circles, we helped run a Valentine’s Day-themed speed dating night, fun board game night

and a slightly competitive handball tournament. We also hosted other schools for a trivia night and Christmas parties, as well as helping out at a disco social for our Year 7 to 9 Boarders.

We recently said goodbye to our lovely Reverend Lorenzo and were given the privilege of running and organising a Chapel service in his honour. We provided him with his very own View from my Window where we asked him about his new job and his fondest memories at Pymble

Every term, we have a Boarders’ Community Weekend where we help at Uniting Church chapel services and run Angus Cup activities and competitions which include dodgeball and benchball. We also help with organising an annual themed Just Dance competition between year groups and Spirit Houses, hoping to create a fun and enjoyable night for

the girls. With Boarders’ Week being an important date in our calendar, we are involved in creating a supportive atmosphere amongst Boarders and encouraging participation.

In the near future, we have visions to showcase our performing arts talents such as singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, drama and much more throughout the Boarding community. We are hoping this can lead up to an end-of-term casual showcase within our Boarding family.

We are so honoured to be able to work closely with our Year 12 prefects and Boarding services to provide a homely and comfortable environment for our fellow Boarding sisters. We are excited to continue organising and putting together more activities for the girls throughout the coming year, and looking forward to making some great memories and creating new traditions along the way.

Dear Reverend Lorenzo

Farewell to Reverend Lorenzo

PHOEBE BUCKNELL [YEAR 10], QUAMBONE

From all the Boarders, thank you so much for everything that you have done for us during your time here.

I have known Reverend Lorenzo since 2019, and from the moment I met you, you made me feel welcomed. You are so friendly and approachable, and I know that Boarding and the day school won’t be the same without you.

Whenever I pass you during the school day, you make sure to say hello and ask how I am. You are always interested in what we have to tell you and are happy to listen to us. You support everyone no matter who they are, where they come from or what they have to say, and always encourage us to be true to ourselves.

You make chapel interesting and relevant for girls our age, all whilst making us laugh with your jokes.

I can speak for everyone when I say that we have all had major takeaways from every reflection that you have done.

I know you are moving into a new chapter of your life, so I’d just like to say that the entire Boarding community and I wish you the best of luck for your future. You have helped countless people in ways that you can’t even imagine.

We are so grateful for the time and energy you have put into chapel services and looking after us. Balmain Uniting Church are lucky to have you.

Once again, thank you for everything.

The Margaret Brooke ‘Brooksie’ 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. In this edition, we are celebrating our Term 1 Brooksie recipients: Year 10 2023 Boarder Nandika Singh.

Nandika Singh

Nandika Singh is our well-deserving Term 1 2023 Brooksie recipient. Nandika is an absolute delight to have in Boarding - calm, kind, easy going, mature, independent and humble. She is a universally loved member of our Boarding family and respected by staff and Boarders for her integrity and courage.

Nan never fails to say a cheery hello and is a consistently caring friend who shows immense dedication to both her studies and sport. This is reflected in her recent selection for the Oxford Royale Academy’s Winter School program where she holds the record for the youngest participant to be selected in the 16 to 18-yearold category despite only being 15!

Nan is a fabulous ‘Big Sister’ to Selina, regularly checking in on her younger charge and taking her on outings and ensuring she feels at home at Pymble. She is intelligent and organised, always punctual and keeps the most immaculate room. Congratulations, Nan – we are so proud of you!

Loving Love It

KATIE WHITE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF BOARDING

The Love It Program has been an exhilarating journey filled with unforgettable experiences and plethora activities. From heart-pumping adventures to cultural expeditions, the program has allowed our Boarders to explore Sydney and its surrounds while forging lasting connections. As we reflect on the memories created during Term 1, we realize that Love It has truly lived up to its name.

We kicked off the year with our first Community Weekend. The Boarders enjoyed a race around Sydney and a trip to Raging Waters. The race around Sydney activity had us exploring iconic landmarks, solving puzzles and collaborating with our Spirit House sisters. It not only showcased the beauty of Sydney but also tested our teamwork and problem-solving skills while learning to navigate the Sydney public transport options. Following the adrenaline of the race, a refreshing trip to Raging Waters allowed us to unwind, bond and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Sports enthusiasts rejoiced as Love It Program organised a trip to witness the talent and dedication of our national women’s soccer team, the Matildas. Cheering alongside fellow participants, we were inspired by their skill and passion on the field. This experience not only deepened our appreciation for women’s sports but also reminded us of the importance of teamwork and determination in achieving our goals.

Our Head of Year 9, Ms Ayling took us on a delightful journey through Glebe Markets. Exploring the vibrant stalls,

we discovered unique handicrafts, artwork and delicious food. This excursion encouraged us to appreciate the beauty of artistry and support small businesses.

The Love It Program took us on many different sporting adventure as we witnessed the exhilaration of Sydney Kings basketball games. The electrifying atmosphere and the skill displayed on the court left us in awe. This basketball extravaganza fostered a sense of community among Love It participants, transcending boundaries and bringing us closer together.

We also joined in with our brothers at Knox as we embarked on a memorable journey across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Taking in the breathtaking views of the city skyline, we appreciated the beauty our surroundings. The adventure continued as we explored the vibrant The Rocks Market, immersing ourselves in local culture and embracing the rich history of Sydney.

Term 1 was not just about adrenaline and sports; it also encompassed the joys of creativity and seasonal festivities. Paul from Du Plessy Pralin & Otello Chocolates Patisserie, a renowned chocolatier, guided us through the intricate art of Easter egg making. With chocolate-stained hands and smiles on our faces, we crafted delectable treats that embodied the spirit of the season.

Many thanks to all the staff who make these weekend trips and adventures possible.

Where are they now: Larissa Burke

LARISSA BURKE [NÉE MILES, 1999]

As a current parent to Isabelle (Year 8 Boarder), an ex-student and one of four generations of old girls on both sides of the family, there are a number of strong ties to Pymble and many fond memories to share.

I grew up in Rouchel, near Scone in the upper Hunter Valley, on a cattle property. This connection to the land drew me back to living and working as a GP there (as well as meeting my now husband Michael who happened to be living in Scone when we met!). We have four busy and energetic children: Isabelle (13), Patrick (11), Clementine (9) and Lachlan (7).

I was lucky enough to complete my final two years of schooling at Pymble where I was able to experience the very best in academic excellence, sporting opportunities - particularly cross country, hockey and athletics - and musical involvement with piano, accompanying, musicals and organ. It was also an action-packed time

getting to know a friendly and fun Boarding family and many lovely day girls.

One of the most unique experiences was learning to play the pipe organ in the Chapel at school and playing for several Boarders chapel services!

There are many Pymble family connections as both my mother and father’s side of the family went to Pymble, in fact this is how they met! On my dad’s side my grandmother Marion Miles (née Campbell) and two aunts were at Pymble. On mum’s side my grandmother Jacqueline Judell was a biochemist and the head librarian for 20+ years at Pymble and remembered by many for her amazing knowledge of all things relating to research, science, the arts, culture and keeping things orderly in the library!

My mum, Gillian Miles (née Judell, 1977) was at Pymble from Years 1 to 12 and Goodlet head prefect, a

talented athlete and high achiever. These days she is a music teacher of cello and piano and has been working with children in the Upper Hunter for 30+ years.

My sisters, Sarah and Tamara, also went to Pymble, and now my daughter Isabelle Burke is a current Boarder in Year 8 and really enjoying her time at the College.

After school, I commenced a Bachelor of Medicine at Newcastle University, which was an amazing chance to study a fabulous course and become a doctor. There were several opportunities to complete study placements overseas during the degree and I spent time in India researching tuberculosis and in England at a renal medicine unit.

My intern and residency years were completed at Royal North Shore Hospital and then I had a move north to Tamworth for a year in acute care which included emergency, intensive

care and anaesthetics training. This set me up for a really good grounding prior to moving to Scone.

In Scone I completed my general practice training and to this day I still work there (it’s now been 16 years!)

These days I’m a practice owner, registrar supervisor and the hospital staff council representative. It’s a busy practice with many subspecialty GPs and while rural medicine is a challenging job I find the challenge rewarding.

We look after patients at our local hospital, both in emergency and on the ward as well as working in theatre in anaesthetics.

Medicine is an exciting career and full of opportunities to specialise in whatever you are passionate about. Rural general practice has not always been easy but it is certainly an area where you can make a really positive impact in your local community.

Opposite page: Burke family: Michael, Patrick, Clementine, Isabelle, Lachlan, and Larissa. Top: Jacqueline Judell and her daughter Gillian Miles (née Judell, 1977); Middle: Dr Larissa Burke attends to young patient at the Scone Medical Centre; Bottom: Sarah Miles (2003), Gillian Miles (1977), Tamara Miles (2006), Larissa Burke (1999), Madeline McGrath (Tamara’s daughter)

“There are many Pymble family connections as both my mother and father’s side of the family went to Pymble, in fact this is how they met!”

A View From My Window: Sydney to Saudi Arabia

SASHA PARIS [YEAR 7], WILLOUGHBY AND SAUDI ARABIA

Hello! My name is Sasha Paris, and I am new to Pymble and Boarding in Year 7 this year. I was very excited to come as my family has a long history here – my great grandmother, my grandmother and her four sisters, my mum and her cousins, and now me and my cousins all went to Pymble!

Last year, I went to Willoughby Public School and lived at home with my dad Phil, my mum Prue and my two big brothers Lach and Olly. This year things are a bit different. My dad lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where he is helping the Saudi government build a new city for their people to live in, enjoy and bring visitors to. It’s going to have an awesome rollercoaster

and water park, which is what I think the Saudi kids will be most excited about!

My mum lives in a mix of Riyadh, Willoughby and Newcastle, where she works with her family and on my grandparent’s farm. My brothers have also moved into boarding at Shore School and, like me, they are loving it, along with participating in rugby and rowing. As a family, we like to see new places, do some hiking and go fishing when the fish are biting.

Willoughby is a great suburb, and I have lots of friends in the neighbourhood. We all meet up in the park to play and walk our dogs.

Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia, right in the centre of the country, and home to nine million people! The desert surrounds are really beautiful, and the Saudi people are very friendly. Newcastle has amazing beaches and big ocean pools. The farm is where I am learning to ride a motorbike, and I am already better than Mum, which is not very hard I must admit!

My dog’s name is Maggie; she is a rescue dog from Dubai. She was dumped in the desert as a puppy, which is where my mum met her when Mum’s car broke down one day. We all love her, but Dad jokes she is the “world’s most expensive free dog” as we had to fly her out to Australia.

“The thing I love most about being home is spending time with my family, especially when we are all together. It doesn’t really matter to me where that is – Willoughby, Riyadh or somewhere else – as I think that a home is really about the people you are with.

I also have a rabbit named Alfie who is now three years old. He is spoilt rotten and lives free in the backyard, eating the grass and playing tag with Maggie. I love looking at them zoom around the backyard through my window.

The thing I love most about being home is spending time with my family, especially when we are all together. It doesn’t really matter to me where that is – Willoughby, Riyadh or somewhere else – as I

think that a home is really about the people you are with.

I feel very cared for as a Boarder at Pymble and have already made really great friends. While at times I certainly miss being at home, it is exciting to be at Pymble with so many great girls (and their families), such warm teachers and Boarding staff, and with so many great things to learn and do. I especially enjoy diving, rowing and Boarders Get Baking!

Ooraminna Station Alice Springs

SAVANNAH LORIMER [YEAR 7], OORAMINNA

Hi, my name is Savannah Lorimer, and I’m one of the new Pymble Year 7 Boarders. I come from a place called Ooraminna Station Homestead located 30km away from Alice Springs. Ooraminna is a restaurant/ farm my parents run. I have two siblings: Mia who is currently in Year 9 at Pymble, and Colton who is in Year 10 at The Scots College.

When I look out my window, I see the heart of the Australian Outback. I see red sand, countless native trees and bushes and the amazing people who are lucky enough to enjoy our beautiful homestead. I often see locals or travellers who have come to hold events such as weddings, or just

to enjoy the tapas and swimming on a relaxing Saturday afternoon.

When I am at home, I spend my time helping my mum in the restaurant as a waitress or on more chilled days I will ride my horse, Moonshine, or swim in the resort pool. From a farm perspective, we have many animals that everyone loves including goats, horses, cows, chickens and many more.

There’s also plenty of native animals, such as snakes. When I was swimming in a dam at our last property, I had a very close interaction with a huge python that I had accidentally gone swimming

with. Thinking it was a stick, I picked it up and waved it at my siblings. They ran away and I was left to realise the discovery on my own as a little six-year-old.

I love being home and I find myself very social as I meet new people every day and enjoy interacting with new staff and guests. I often make friends with new backpackers that come along, and we become very fond of each other very quickly. But in the end, I guess it’s always the Lorimer circus running the show. I love my life at home, and I am very lucky to be living it.

Boarders’ Week 2023

Our Boarders loved celebrating National Boarding Week. It was a jam-packed week with various sporting competitions with the day students, presentations at assemblies, special thank you breakfasts and lots of decorations in our famous Boarders’ pink. Thank you to all who helped celebrate our special Boarding community.