Our contributors

Erica Bell

Erica Bell has a background in psychology and is currently undertaking a Doctor of Philosophy under the supervision of Professor Malhi, examining the construct of irritability within psychiatric disorders. She has a particular interest in the mechanisms that underlie psychiatric disorders, and how this understanding can be translated into clinical practice. In this regard, she has published research examining these phenomena and has synthesised these findings into clinical practice guidelines.

Reverend Punam Bent Kieran Dale-O’Connor

Punam Bent has been at Pymble since 2016 and has taught Religion and Ethics in her role as School Chaplain at both Pymble and MLC School, Burwood. She is passionate about wellbeing and spirituality, and social justice with focus on regional partnerships and environmental action. This includes SS4C (Schools Strike for Climate), raising First Nations awareness and engagement, and promoting religious and cultural diversity. In Punam’s work in girls’ education she aims to create a just and holistic environment where students are accepted in their own identity (cultural, religious, non-religious) and where they can grow as global citizens. She is an ordained minister of religion, practising within the Uniting Church in Australia and UMC (USA) since 1992. Kieran Dale-O’Connor is an Inquiry Learning Leader in the Conde Library at Pymble. In this role, he supports students with research and inquiry projects across a range of learning areas. Prior to this, he was a Secondary English teacher for six years, during which time had roles in faculty leadership, pastoral care of refugee students, restorative practices, and library management. He also co-designed and taught Te Awakairangi, a cross-curricular and place-based program of learning for Senior students. Kieran’s area of interest is how student voice and feedback are used to help design, construct and refine programs of learning.

Madeleine Gardiner Riina Hämäläinen Cedric Le Bescont

Madeleine Gardiner has been teaching Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) at Pymble since 2018. During this time, she has worked in both the Junior and Secondary Schools and values the experience gained from collaborating with colleagues across the College. Madeleine is committed to embedding a range of perspectives in her practise and in 2021 completed a Master of Indigenous Education at Macquarie University. Riina Hämäläinen is a PDHPE teacher at Pymble Ladies’ College for Years 7 to 10 students. She commenced teaching at Pymble in 2019. Riina has a Master of Sport Pedagogy and Health Sciences from the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. She is passionate about students’ holistic wellbeing, their interests and ideas for the future. She is proud to contribute to the diverse community of backgrounds and cultures within the College. Cedric Le Bescont holds the roles of Learning Leader – Assessment and Differentiation (Science) and Head of Data Science. Cedric commenced at Pymble in 2019 and he teaches Science, Physics and Chemistry to Years 7 to 12 students. Cedric has a Master of Physical Sciences from University Savoie Mont Blanc in Chambéry, France, as well as a degree in Science Education from the University of Grenoble, France. He has spent most of his career as a Learning Leader and Head of Science in the Network of International French Schools across a range of countries and has been a member of diverse learning communities in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.

Professor Gin Malhi

Professor Gin Malhi is a University of Sydney professor and the Head of the Academic Department of Psychiatry. He is also the Executive and Clinical Director of the CADE Clinic, a specialist referral clinic for complex mood disorders based at Royal North Shore Hospital. Over the past decade he has conducted important research into the emergence of mood disorders in adolescence. Professor Malhi is on the Pymble Ladies’ College Board of Directors and offers support to the College’s Wellbeing team.

Dr Arne Rubinstein

Dr Arne Rubinstein (MBBS, FRACGP) is an internationally recognised expert on childhood development and rites of passage. His programs have been attended by over 250,000 people in more than 20 countries around the world and are now a part of over 50 schools around Australia. Arne is a medical doctor and specialised first in family medicine and then spent 15 years in emergency medicine until he moved full time creating Rites of Passage programs for parents and their children. He is the author of the best-seller, The Making of Men. Arne has won multiple awards for his work, including being nominated in 2008 for Australian of the Year for his groundbreaking work with youth, providing muchneeded answers and tools to support a generation of young men and women be happy and motivated about life. Arne is the proud father of two wonderful young men and a mentor to many others.

Sarah Turner

Sarah Turner began teaching at Pymble in 2019 and is the Stage 4 Music Co-ordinator. In 1994, Sarah completed a thesis on Music Therapy and was invited to apply to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London to continue her studies in Music Therapy. Working in an infant school in Hackney, London, Sarah developed her passion for teaching and being in the classroom and she realised she had found her calling – teaching Music. Although no longer a seasoned violinist (due to the lack of practise time), Sarah still loves to play along with the younger girls to engage in the power of music.