Pymbulletin ISSUE 1 2021
VOLUME 50
Meet a fourth-generation Pymble family
Contents Principal’s message....................................................................................................................... 3 Girls with dreams become women with vision ................................................................... 4 Teachers in focus.......................................................................................................................... 6 Strategic pillars .............................................................................................................................11 Fourth-generation Pymble family........................................................................................... 21 Pymble Online ............................................................................................................................24 Student wellbeing during online learning.............................................................................26 Rites of Passage...........................................................................................................................33 Watch Us Change the World .................................................................................................. 37 Pymble Institute...........................................................................................................................38 College spirit................................................................................................................................ 40 Pymble gives back......................................................................................................................42 Vision Valley..................................................................................................................................44 Academic life................................................................................................................................47 Sporting highlights......................................................................................................................50 Performing Arts............................................................................................................................55 Black Watch Ties.........................................................................................................................59 Notices...........................................................................................................................................62 Where are they now?.................................................................................................................67 105 objects in 105 years............................................................................................................69
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“ I am who I am. I’m good with it.” Kamala Harris First female Vice President of the USA
Principal’s message Now is an exciting time to be teaching and learning at Pymble. This year marked the first year of implementation of our new Strategic Direction, which you can read about on page 11. Watch Us Change the World takes over from our previous strategy, Towards 2020: Striving for the Highest, building on our solid foundation of educational excellence and honing the 21st Century skills and attributes that will equip our students for the futures they desire. For any school, let alone an all-girls’ school, ‘Watch Us Change the World’ is a bold statement, intentionally so. It highlights our belief in the power of a Pymble education to develop the academic, emotional, social and digital intelligence of our girls to be the change they want to see in the world, starting in their school days and ending who knows where? At the start of each year, I think carefully about a message to share with students to help them move into their next stage of learning with positivity and purpose. This year, my message was to ‘Have a Go’, something that sounds simple but is not always easy to achieve.
Extend yourself. Try new things. Embrace falling forward (metaphorically!). Accept the challenge. Find the joy. Across the College, we encouraged our students to adopt Kamala Harris’ powerful statement, “I am who I am. I’m good with it”, and to use that confidence to ‘Have a Go’ at something new – even when it made them feel a bit uncomfortable and especially if there was a risk of failing. Our girls learnt that the growth, discovery and change that occurs from trying, failing and then trying again can bring a profound sense of joy. As a community, we continued to be tested by the change and challenge brought by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. We are grateful to have had two terms of on-campus learning in the first half of the year, followed by a term-anda-half of Pymble Online in Terms 3 and 4. To have the ability to transition almost every offering at the College to a quality online format is a testament to the incredible professionalism, innovation and dedication of Pymble staff. Our girls and their parents – who we consider to be partners in their daughters’ education
– were equally committed to ensuring that the highest level of teaching and learning continued, on or off campus, throughout a tumultuous year. At all times, our focus as a community has been on moving forward with positivity and purpose – and finding joy. I could not be prouder of Team Pymble. While it is critical to stay positive, it is also important to acknowledge the great sadness and hardship that has been experienced around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. My hope is that you and your family are safe and well and that you have the supports you need to sustain you during this challenging time. We look forward to having many more opportunities to connect with you in person in 2022. For now, please enjoy this snapshot of life at Pymble and an insight into what makes our College such a special place for our past, present and future community, our Pymble family.
Dr Kate Hadwen Principal
Girls with dreams become women with vision To inspire our girls, special guest speakers are invited to our annual Foundation Day and Jacaranda Day. Each event is an opportunity for the College to gather and reflect on key messages such as service to others and the motivation to follow your dreams.
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On Wednesday 11 November 2020, it
men and women who have served our
Our guest speaker for the day was the
was a day of double reflection as we held
country in armed conflict over the years.
inspirational CEO of OzHarvest, Ronni
our 36th annual Jacaranda Service in
After almost a year of online events, it
Kahn AO. Ronni founded OzHarvest
conjunction with Remembrance Day. The was very special to have our girls and staff
16 years ago to feed those who have
ceremony reinforced our commitment to
from Year 1 through to Year 11 gathered
nothing with good food that would
serving others, and also paid tribute to the
together on Gloucester Lawn.
otherwise end up as landfill.
Pymbulletin Issue 1 2021
“ ... their donation will provide 20,000 meals to those in need.” Over the years, OzHarvest has turned
Teaspoon’ to remind us of our duty and
food waste from supermarkets, farms
choice to help others so that we leave
and hospitality providers into 165
the world in a better place than we
million meals for Australians who need
found it.”
food relief and support to put food on their table. Up until 2020, this equated
Three of our Middle School girls, Lily
to 5 million people each year. Since
Lockhart, Emily Rothery and Ellie
COVID-19, that number has increased
Hennessy, Year 7, have been supporting
by another million.
OzHarvest since creating and launching a cookbook to raise funds for the
Ronni paraphrased a parable by the Israeli charity. Amazingly, the girls were able author, Amos Oz, to remind our girls
to present Ronni with a donation of
of their individual and collective power
$10,000 raised by sales of their book,
to be influential and compassionate
3 Cooks Who Care. Ronni explained to
change-makers in the world:
the girls that their donation will provide 20,000 meals to those in need.
In the face of a huge inferno, like the bushfires we have just had, we all have
Our guest speaker at Foundation Day
three principal options as to how we
Assembly on Wednesday 10 February
would behave.
2021 was Dr Catherine Yang, one of our
1. We could run away as fast as we
accomplished ex-students. Catherine
can and leave those who cannot
shared her motivational story, discussing
run to burn.
the challenge and fear associated with
2. We could write a very angry letter
commencing at Pymble in Year 11 as
to the newspaper demanding that
a migrant from Taiwan with very little
the person responsible for the fire
English. She spoke about kindness and
is punished.
how her teachers and smiling peers
3. We could run and find a bucket.
offered her friendship, support and a
If we cannot find a bucket, we
sense of belonging while she was failing
could run and find a jug. If we
Year 11! Catherine overcame her fears,
cannot find a jug, we could run
successfully completed Year 12 and
and find a teaspoon.
went on to train as a dentist – quite an achievement for a 15-year-old with only
“ Yes, I know, a teaspoon is tiny, and fire
two years of English under her belt. She
is huge, but there are millions of us
has also since written a book called STEP
and each of us has a teaspoon,” Ronni
on Fear to help others overcome their
said. “I want to create the ‘Order of the
fears to pursue and achieve their dreams.
Teachers in focus At Pymble, we inspire the next generation of young women to propel themselves into fulfilling careers and lives. The foundation for this begins in the classroom, via access to a remarkable 70 subjects.
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The College understands our girls aren’t
girls to unlock their greatest potential.
a one-size-fits-all style cohort and offers
Their love of teaching and dedication
an incredibly broad range of subjects,
to what is not simply ‘a job’ to them is
both curricular and co-curricular, for our
unsurpassed. In 2020 / 21, Australia saw
students to find their niche and thrive.
online learning become the norm, and
At the heart of this world-class learning
in turn, our Pymble community saw just
environment are our beloved teachers.
how much we value our teaching staff.
Passionate and exceptionally talented,
And so, as we celebrate our education
Pymble’s teaching staff are always
leaders, we ask them where they find
looking for new ways to inspire our
their inspiration...
Ms Lara Bird Deputy Head of Junior School – Learning and Curriculum Teaching for eight years I’m inspired by... The teachers at Pymble with their professionalism, care and dedication in developing creative and engaging teaching activities for our girls which empowers them to question and think creatively, critically and independently.
Mrs Carolyn Burgess Director of Boarding Teaching for 33 years I’m inspired by… Shall I say, the more ‘mature’ teachers here at Pymble. Even after many, many years of teaching, their enthusiasm for their subject areas is bottomless, their expertise astounding, and they are tireless in seeking out and providing the very best opportunities for every one of their students.
Ms Salina Bussien Head of Learning Area – Modern and Classical Languages Teaching for 22 years I love teaching because... Languages have the power to unlock each student's thinking potential and intercultural understanding, and by doing so, shapes them into becoming kind critical thinkers.
Miss Georgie Cain Experiential Educator Teaching for 12 years I’m inspired by… The beauty and diversity of our natural world both here in Australia and globally and the cultural abundance within it. It ignites my passion to help students explore their world, connect with nature and each other and learn from their experiences.
Mr Stuart Clark Director of Vision Valley Teaching for 26 years I’m inspired by… Seeing learners push their comfort zones and develop skill sets, knowledge and experience which benefits and strengthens them.
Mrs Alison Cruz Head of Learning Area – PDHPE Teaching for 17 years I teach because... It brings me joy. I am passionate about my subject area and enjoy the ability that teaching provides me to help shape the lives of young people and empower them to contribute to a better future. It is extremely fulfilling!
Mr Grant Jackson Agriculture Co-ordinator Teaching for… many years! I’m inspired by… The satisfaction I get from my students. The girls at Pymble are wonderful young women who work hard to achieve their personal goals which gives me a great deal of satisfaction as a teacher, inspiring me to do what I can to facilitate their journey.
Ms Joanne Lee Mathematics Teacher Teaching for five years I’m inspired by... The wonderful teachers that surround me and their passion for teaching.
Mr Matt Peacock Legal Studies Co-ordinator and Legal Studies Teacher Teaching for 36 years I am inspired by... The girls' passion and interest in learning. It is not unusual to hear from past students and hear how things in their careers remind them of our lessons.
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Mrs Amanda Reynolds Head of Learning Area – English Teaching for a very long time I’m inspired by… Not by a single person but by many. By my family who are a reminder of the difference you can make when you follow your dreams. They too, are my constant reminder to exist in the present and of how precious life is. By the trail blazers who have come before whose ambition is for compassion, equality and fairness. And by watching in awe the students I’ve had the pleasure of teaching go on to achieve great things.
Mr Kurt Schweinberger Head of Co-curricular Music Teaching for 15 years I teach because... As Oscar Hammerstein II says, "If you become a teacher, by your pupils you'll be taught".
Dr Kristie Spence Head of Learning Area – Science Teaching for 15 years I’m inspired by… The chance we have as teachers to design learning experiences that allow our students to develop deep skills – those skills that are valuable for life – analysing data, identifying patterns, or testing new ideas. Seeing a student grow by staying with a problem is also so rewarding. When they come out the other side, they have more confidence and can better recognise their capacity to solve problems for themselves.
Mr Matthew Tyson Head of Sport K-6 Teaching for 14 Years I teach because... I love watching students build a love of sport. Watching the confidence that develops from overcoming challenges and pushing themselves outside of their comfort zones to learn new skills.
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Strategic pillars The College’s new Strategic Direction 2021-2030 is an exciting new chapter and emphasises developing the whole student in all areas of her life. Our focus is on four key intelligences: Academic, Social, Emotional and Digital. These four learning pillars are supported by the College values of Care, Courage, Integrity, Respect and Responsibility and the Mind Body Spirit Framework promoting holistic wellness.
ACADEMIC INTELLIGENCE – KNOWLEDGE FOR A BETTER WORLD
The aim of the forum is to raise
Learning at Pymble inspires students
in medicine, nursing, and health,
to explore what matters to them and
particularly in rural areas of NSW and
see themselves in futures they may
Australia. This is an event which is open
not have imagined. Our girls develop
to other metropolitan schools, with
a curiosity and hunger for learning.
a specific emphasis on schools with
In developing the enduring virtues
boarding communities.
of intellectual tenacity and rigorous scholarship, our learners think critically, creatively and collaboratively, with commitment to decisive action. Inspired by open-ended learning experiences, Pymble girls invest in their own learning, think beyond the immediate and accept the challenge to change their world.
awareness of the opportunities
Students attended lectures, a Q&A panel, expo-style exhibits, interactive workshop style sessions, and generally learnt from recent graduates in the fields represented. The event challenges students to consider their post-school options, to appreciate factors such as job shortages and industries displaying high levels of employability, and to develop
Pymble Ladies’ College and the Rural
the appropriate depth of understanding
Doctors Network (RDN) held the
of a given industry rather than reactively
second annual Careers Forum at
choosing post-school courses.
Pymble in Term 2.
Learning at Pymble inspires students to explore what matters to them...
Post-event feedback indicated students
Self-awareness using Data
found the speakers informative and
Management Systems
inspiring. As an example, attendees
One of the first steps in managing health
commented on the passionate address
and wellbeing is to develop a level of
given by The Hon. Bronnie Taylor, MLC,
self-awareness. Awareness of these
Minister for Mental Health, Regional
aspects of oneself is the first step to
Youth and Women. The RDN Forum is
change and growth. To ensure we are
a fantastic example of an open-ended
continuing to increase the number of
learning experience for students that
conversations with our girls, we have 60
challenge perceptions, gives them the
Year 10 students piloting the use of two
tools to take charge of their decision
Wellbeing apps. Half the group is trialling
making, and to envision ways that they
Smartabase and the remaining half is
may be able to make a difference in the
trialling iyarn.
world beyond Pymble. Smartabase was originally developed as an athlete data management system to
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE – EMPOWERED TO BE COURAGEOUS
improve performance, monitor health
Pymble girls are courageous and
Smartabase was designed to give
determined learners who approach
people the ability to collect relevant
new challenges with a sense of
data, analyse it effectively and use the
optimism and excitement.
resulting information to guide actions
They develop the emotional
and decisions for success in the
intelligence and strength of character
sporting and athletic world. Institutes
to thrive in new and unfamiliar
and academies of sport, universities
situations and inspire others. Pymble
and schools, private companies,
girls appreciate that significant parts of
government and military are successfully
their character have been developed in
using Smartabase for a diverse range
times of adversity and learn to embrace
of applications.
life with humility, gratitude and grace.
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and optimise athlete development.
iyarn was established to connect
This information will be tracked and
people through simple, powerful
summarised by their relevant Compass
and flexible check-ins. Purposeful
teacher and together with each
check-ins encourage expression and
student, they will be able to focus
provide others with the opportunity
further on specific areas to promote
to understand. They are a safe space
the student’s wellbeing.
where people can be vulnerable and their stories can be heard. Students involved are being asked to
Ms Lamia Rockwell Deputy Principal Students (K-12)
answer a series of questions and score them on a sliding scale in relation to how they are feeling.
“ iyarn was established to connect people through simple, powerful and flexible check-ins.” Lamia Rockwell
SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE – DIVERSITY AS THE PATH TO UNITY
Cultural Diversity
Pymble students embrace opportunities
in sharing stories, enriching our
to learn in collaborative environments
knowledge of First Nations perspectives,
where different perspectives are
and considering alternatives and
encouraged and valued. As a school
reconnecting with national and
of the Uniting Church, we welcome
international partners to provide student
people of all faiths, beliefs, abilities,
exchange experiences. For the first time,
identities, backgrounds and cultures.
Captains of Intercultural Connections
During 2021, we have invested
play a key role in our Prefect team. We value diversity of thought and understand the power of an inclusive
In the lead up to our Lunar New Year
and united community. Our students
celebrations and Literature Diversity
care for, listen to, and learn from people
Week, our Captains of Intercultural
of all backgrounds, including our First
Connections, Katherine and Claudia,
Nations peoples. Through developing
interviewed and shared stories of a
skills in cultural connectivity, Pymble girls
number of staff from different cultural
foster respectful, resilient and inclusive
backgrounds.
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To help guide our endeavours in this
women, rural and remote communities,
space, the College has joined the
people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ and
Diversity Council of Australia (DCA) –
the aged.
interestingly, we are the only school in Australia with membership! Membership
Sharing stories that build empathy
of the DCA provides us with access to
and understanding will underpin our
a unique knowledge bank of leading
approach to diversity and inclusion in
practice research, events and expertise
our learning, events and research.
on all aspects of diversity and inclusion.
Mrs Julie Shaw
Further, we have received and continue to seek constructive criticism from several ‘friends of Pymble’ who cast their eyes over our plans and provide us with invaluable insight and perspectives. To wave the flag as a diverse and inclusive community, our focus will need to move beyond cultural diversity to test our fluency and practice with all marginalised or minority groups, such as
Senior Deputy Principal
DIGITAL INTELLIGENCE – TECHNOLOGIES FOR AN INNOVATIVE FUTURE Pymble girls are active, responsible and
Pymble Digital Hierarchy of Needs
engaged global citizens who harness
Our children are not born ‘digital
the power of technology to effect
natives’, therefore we need to structure
positive change. They understand the
our learning experiences to enable
importance of technology to activate
them to become active, responsible and
human potential, enable connections
engaged global citizens who understand
and make the world a better place
the importance of technology in all
for all. Students are encouraged to
aspects of their lives.
be part of, and fuel, the technological revolution; to build, change and co-
We have created the Pymble Digital
create the future. Through developing
Hierarchy of Needs and Kindergarten
digital fluency, students cultivate
to Year 12 Digital Citizenship continuum
healthy habits and are equipped to
to map this out across the College.
use technologies in beneficial and sustaining ways.
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The Pymble Digital Hierarchy of Needs
on online documents, exploring design
grows all young women towards being
elements when creating a webpage and
their best digital self. We empower
working with 3D modelling to make a
students to fulfil each aspect of the
digital representation of a sustainable
pyramid – to level-up in order to grow.
garden. Students will also have the
We instil a confidence in their
opportunity to develop a digital tour
relationship with technology, to uncover
around the College where they can
what technology can achieve for them
guide visitors using QR codes and virtual
and the access it can unlock. We teach
reality experiences to uncover our
them to harness what they can do with
campus history. These explicitly taught
technology in the hope that they create
skills will follow the students as they
the change they want to see. It is with
progress into future years within and
this ability that they will inevitably have
outside their academic years, giving them
a positive impact in themselves, their
options in which to communicate their
community and beyond.
ideas and develop solutions to problems.
Some learning experiences begun in
Mr Anthony England
2021 to deliver this continuum include
Director of Innovative Learning Technologies
skills and etiquette when collaborating
PYMBLE LEARNING FRAMEWORK Guiding the learning experiences
While we will deliver on all six, our focus
within these pillars is our new Pymble
in 2021 is on Character and Citizenship
Learning Framework, which is currently
for all girls in Kindergarten to Year 12.
being built to incorporate the practice of Deep Learning.
Deep Learning prepares girls for success in the rapidly-changing real world.
So, what does this mean for our girls’
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is
academic learning and outcomes?
changing the way we live, work and relate to one another – we need to keep
Deep Learning is an internationally-
pace with this change to support girls
recognised model designed to
being successful change agents when
improve learning outcomes and
they leave the College. The six global
best prepare our girls for their future
competencies represent the skills and
worlds. While it increases academic
attributes needed for learners to not just
rigour, it also accelerates and enriches
function but flourish as global citizens
their development of the six global
who make a meaningful difference in
competencies of Character, Citizenship,
our complex and ever-changing world.
Collaboration, Communication, Creativity and Critical Thinking.
Mr Justin Raymond Deputy Principal – Academic (K–12)
“ Deep Learning is an internationally-recognised model designed to improve learning outcomes and best prepare our girls for their future worlds.” Justin Raymond
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Fourth-generation Pymble family Sisters Alice and Sophie are the latest in a succession of Pymble girls descended from Forbes grazier John Francis Hammond and his wife Jennie, whose daughter Katie began the family’s Pymble journey in 1934.
Alice Beveridge, Year 8, is a Boarder in
Pork farms are measured by the number
Marden House and will be joined by her
of sows onsite and with 2,000 sows,
sister Sophie when she begins Year 7 in
the Beveridges own a “medium to large”
2022. Both girls follow in the footsteps
operation – 25,000 pigs in all.
of their mother Edwina (Walker, 1993) and grandmother Jean (Low, 1962),
“Each sow – they’re quite phenomenal –
who were sporty country girls who
can produce two litters a year and they
loved their years at Pymble.
can average about 11 piglets that we wean,” Edwina says.
“We have a pig farm where all our pigs live in big sheds, and we also have sheep
Blantyre is dedicated to sustainable
and cattle and crops,” says Alice, who has farming. It was the first farm in Australia to have a registered project under the boarded at the College since 2020. government’s Carbon Farming Initiative The Beveridges live just outside Young
program – and Edwina believes theirs
in the south-west slopes region of New
was the first carbon farm in Australia.
South Wales, a four-hour drive from Sydney. Edwina graduated from Pymble
“All the pigs’ manure goes into a great
in 1993 and studied as a Chartered
big dam and we put a cover over the
Accountant before commencing her
top of it – it looks a bit like a jumping
career in pork production and having a
castle. This catches the gas and we make
family. She is now Director of Blantyre
electricity from the methane gas that the
Farms and Elected Producer Director of
pig manure produces. So we’re actually
the Australian Pork Limited Board.
running our farm on renewable energy produced from our pig poo,” she says.
“We feed them a lot of food waste.
Alice also keeps busy on the farm by
We use a huge amount of dairy product
helping with the harvest and baling,
that’s gone past its use-by date. At the
which she is paid for and uses as pocket
moment we’ve been getting a lot of
money during the school term.
pasta. Just today I had a pasta company ring me to say they had 40 tonnes of
When she returned to Murringo in the
red lentil pasta that is past its use-by
Term 2 school holidays, a snap Sydney
date, so that will come to us and we
lockdown forced Alice to delay her
even deal with unpacking a lot of it.
return to Pymble and join her classmates
It either comes in a milk container
in learning online. The Boarders, who
or a pasta packet that you buy in
are especially close – and refer to each
the supermarket and we’ve made
other as ‘sisters’ – make sure to keep
our own machines to open them or
connected through using Microsoft
we have strong daughters to do it in
Teams, meeting online in House groups
the holidays!”
and maintaining their daily routine as much as possible.
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Alice’s great-grandmother, Katie, received her Intermediate Certificate in 1935 and was a member of the Debating Society and Captain of the C Tennis team. Katie’s sister Jean received her Leaving Certificate in 1934 and the girls’ sister-in-law Peggy Buchanan was in the First XI Hockey team and Senior A Netball team. The girls’ love for the school was noted in the Forbes Advocate in 1939, when Katie was married: “A most unusual event in the evening was the singing by the girls of the ‘war cry’ of Miss Hammond's old school the lads doing likewise for the bridegroom.” Grandmother Jean graduated from Pymble in 1962 and enjoyed playing Tennis – a sportswoman like her mum and aunties before her. Alice has followed in her ancestors’ aptitude Alice has also turned her attention
for sport and College spirit, receiving
to a special personal project
a Jacaranda Award in Semester 1
documenting her family’s long
2021, as well as Compass Captain and
association with the College.
participation in Rowing and Basketball.
Alice decided to document her family’s long association with the College.
“I loved it, I loved every second of it,” Edwina said of her own Pymble experience. “There was probably only about four minutes at Pymble when I was homesick and that was it in my six years.
“She’s rung up some of her great aunts
And I was so keen for my girls to go there.
and asked them all sorts of questions and she’s got down all the names of
“I just was hoping my husband would be
who went to Pymble and in what year,”
happy with it – and then he came and
Edwina said. “There’s some lovely stories had a look at the school and said ‘they’d within that.”
be so lucky to come to this school’!”
Phoebe Bucknell, Year 8
Pymble Online ONLINE LEARNING DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC With Greater Sydney in lockdown
focusing on connecting with our
for all of Term 3 and part of Term 4,
community, lifting each other up and
outstanding teaching and learning
intentionally creating moments of joy.
was able to continue, once again, with Pymble Online.
Our brilliant Team Pymble came up with a wonderful way to achieve this during
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In true Pymble style, our incredible
long hours at home in lockdown.
staff went above and beyond to ensure
So, while our Australian athletes,
everything was in place to enable all
including four Pymble alumni,
timetabled lessons, Compass time
competed at the Tokyo Olympics,
sessions and most co-curricular sport
Pymble students, staff, families and
and activities to proceed remotely.
alumni were invited to take part in our
We successfully recreated interactive
very own Pymlympic Games, a series
classrooms, assemblies and recreational
of feel-good challenges that earned the
events in an online format, while
‘player’ House or Team points.
Phoebe Bucknell Year 8 What has been the best part of online
What has been the most difficult
learning?
aspect?
I have really enjoyed seeing my friends
Being a Boarder, Wi-Fi can fail. I often
during online classes as you can see
have to go back to the recording of the
little parts of their home, and everyone
video and find out what I missed.
seems to be a lot more relaxed. Have you taken up any creative Which online class have you looked
pursuits during lockdown?
forward to?
During lockdown, I have started to draw
I look forward to Design and
a lot more and whilst I am not very
Technology as we are designing shorts/
good at it, it is enjoyable and relaxing.
a skirt which I think will be enjoyable. What activities have you participated in? I am participating in online Netball. So far it has been fun, but I look forward to getting back on the court with my teammates.
Eliza Gothard Year 10 What has been the best part of online
What has been the most difficult
learning?
aspect?
I like how we can participate in the Jack
The most difficult aspect of lockdown for
and Jules Fitness classes and being able
me is not being able to see my friends
to see my friends online.
and not being able to go to rowing.
Which online class have you looked
Have you taken up any creative
forward to?
pursuits during lockdown?
I have been really looking to PASS, as we
No, I haven’t, but I have been going on
are learning about the Body Systems and
morning and afternoon walks.
that is a topic that I really enjoy learning. What lesson have you learnt from What activities have you participated in?
being in lockdown?
I have loved participating in the Jack and Appreciating the little things, like being Jules Fitness classes online, as they get
able to go outside of my house and
me moving out of my chair.
being able to see friends and family.
Student wellbeing during online learning Learning from home felt different for every girl – some really loved it and others could not wait to get back on campus. Overwhelmingly students felt supported and were able to stay connected with their teachers and friends. Lamia Rockwell
From that perspective there are girls
Deputy Principal Students (K-12)
who really enjoyed it, however girls who
From a wellbeing perspective, what impact did online learning have on the girls?
Pymbulletin Issue 1 2021
people missed school tremendously and missed their friends. The impact was also about forgoing their rites of
There are girls who loved it and there
passage. For example, for girls in Year 12
are girls who didn't enjoy it. Some girls
who were not able to be on campus,
like to be in their own space and their
I was hearing a lot of, “Oh my goodness
own comfort. Also not having to get up
this is my last year at the College,
early to travel to school... 26
are more social and love being around
this is normally when I would go and
How did you keep the girls engaged?
take a photo at the Chapel or at the Ag Plot....” All those rites of passage and
We kept them engaged with lots
opportunities that they would have had,
of different activities including the
their Valedictory for one. Luckily, we did
Pymlympics. To celebrate the excitement
the formals early in the year for Years 11
of returning to campus, we also
and 12 and they felt grateful for that.
developed Countdown2Campus, which was a daily challenge for each of the girls
Holding the Trials online was also
around the Mind Body Spirit Framework.
challenging for the Year 12 students as
There were three different challenges,
they’ve never done exams online before. one around Mind, one around Body Similarly for Years 10 and 11.
and one around Spirit. It was like the
Girls are already nervous about exams
Christmas Advent Calendar. It also built
and to add that extra factor to it would
House spirit, because everything the
have increased their anxiety around it.
girls did was linked back to the House
They also missed their teachers and that
and as part of our strategy under the
one-on-one connection, so we kept that ‘Empowered to be courageous’ pillar, going through Compass. Our Compass
we’re trying to raise the profile of House
teachers were checking in on the girls
and that gave us the opportunity.
daily in the Preparatory and Junior Schools. In the Secondary School,
The girls grew so much during Pymble
we checked in one-on-one Monday,
Online, what changes will they be
Wednesday and Friday and then on
taking with them into the future?
Tuesdays and Thursdays we checked in on them as a group. The Compass teachers did a group activity, whether that was some Icebreaker games or just asking the girls to “tell me a story, what’s been exciting for you?”.
I think there’s definitely an appreciation of their families, which is part of what we’re trying to do. For example, for the Year 7 Outdoor Education program, we invited parents as it’s about engaging the community, not only with our programs
From a different perspective, girls
but also with their own daughter, and
actually loved being at home with their
really learning about her as a young
families. It gave them an opportunity
person, how she’s growing and what are
to spend time with mum and dad
the values she’s developing through her
and their pets and that had a positive
journey at Pymble? We know we have
impact. It actually gave them a better
our own College values but within that
understanding of the value of a family
we know that the girls build their own
and understanding who they are as part
values based on the experiences that
of their family.
they have.
They have become very good at looking out for each other and coming forward and saying, “my friend's not feeling great”.
Mental health has never been so important... The pandemic has impacted on the mental health of young people in schools around the world. That
Lamia Rockwell
uncertainty, that fear of, ‘oh is this going to happen again?’ But there’s been lots
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Pymbulletin Issue 1 2021
They’ve also become a little bit more
of positives in terms of family, in terms
vulnerable. They have become a
of learning about themselves and taking
little bit more aware of what’s around
time to reflect. And looking after their
them. I think that self-awareness is
own wellbeing. In one activity, we sent
so important. Knowing themselves.
each girl some sunflower seeds and
Knowing what they can do. Knowing
recently one student sent me a photo
that they can stretch themselves. So
to say, “Look at my sunflower, look
that self-awareness has really surfaced
how much it has grown”. I think it gives
and that support for each other. They
them more meaning and purpose to
have become very good at looking out
say ‘Ok, there’s bigger things in life than
for each other and coming forward and
my laptop, my phone and social media’.
saying, “my friend's not feeling great”.
That was a real positive.
Greg Meagher Director of Sport Tell us about Pymble Sport Online? Online Sport at Pymble consisted of live and pre-recorded sports sessions for students covering 14 different sports. Students could tune in to participate
In addition to this, coaches held regular team and small group meetings, which focused on goal setting and student wellbeing. Several online team development meetings were held across many sports, including trivia contests, dress-ups and other fun activities.
in live sessions such as ‘Online Fitness with Jack and Jules’ or specific sport sessions, which focused on skill development and sport-specific fitness. Alternatively, pre-recorded training sessions were developed to allow students the flexibility to participate at times that suited them.
Students could tune in to participate in live sessions such as ‘Online Fitness with Jack and Jules’... Greg Meagher
Why was it so important to maintain the sport programs during Pymble Online? Online Sport at Pymble was fundamentally about connection and wellbeing, by providing the opportunity
During Term 3, more than
for students to remain physically active,
400 hours of online live or
stay in touch with their friends and have
pre-recorded sessions were
some fun.
developed and delivered by
Teaching and participating in online
the Pymble Sports team.
sport is no easy feat, what were the
There were more than 1,800
challenges you faced?
viewers in total who participated in the daily Jack and Jules Online
It was challenging maintaining student interest in sport in an online environment after the girls had spent their day online learning. However, coaches were able to use video and online technology to help deliver engaging and meaningful sessions.
Fitness classes. Post-Tokyo Olympics, we held Live Q&A with: Athletics: Australian Olympic Track and Field Co-Captain, Steven Solomon Swimming: Olympic gold medallist, Bronte Campbell and Pymble ex-student and Olympic Backstroke swimmer, Abbey Harkin (2015) Rowing: Olympic Women’s Eight rower and Pymble ex-student, Genevieve Horton (2012) Diving: Olympic Bronze Medallist, Melissa Wu Hockey: Hockeyroo and Pymble Hockey Coach (2020), Kate Jenner provided a video piece for our Pymble Hockey players
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Rites of Passage RITES OF PASSAGE, CIRCLES AND STORIES: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE – EMPOWERED TO BE COURAGEOUS
Year 7 students and their parents
Year 7 students embarked on their
with, the girls were separated from
first camp to Vision Valley during two
their families for four days. They then
separate weeks in May and June.
experienced a range of activities and
The story-sharing, smiles and tears,
challenges that were exciting and
challenges, time spent in nature and
potentially out of their comfort zone,
the deepening of the connection to
before moving into a visioning and
community are a big part of our
honouring process, and finally returning
Outdoor Education programs.
to their homes and lives. The parents of
were the first group to experience the framework in practice. To begin
each of the girls were invited to draft a The Rites of Passage Institute has been working with Pymble in 2021 to enhance our focus on student wellbeing, and cultivate and engage the whole community of teachers/staff, parents and students on the journey. This includes designing and gradually embedding key
special letter to be given to them during the camp. They were also invited to attend the final night of the program to experience Vision Valley, hear from Dr Hadwen and me, and participate in a simple process with the students and their Compass groups.
components of the Rites of Passage transformational education journey into
Each student took their time to read and
the current and future framework of
think carefully, in private, about what
the school. The main components of
their parents had shared with them in
a Rite of Passage at key life transitions
their letter. It was a beautiful time of
involves firstly Separating out of your
reflection for the girls.
normal environment, followed by a Transformational process appropriate for
The girls also took time to think about
the culture, age and level of the group,
their peers within their Compass
and then being supported by good,
group and identify three things about
practical Integration practices.
each person that they like, love, respect or admire.
This reflection time, and consideration
brought in, parents and students can
of others, meant that they were guided
sit together in Circle, share stories,
and encouraged to really connect more
make commitments, and recognise
deeply to each of the students within
one another for their unique gifts and
their group and build a stronger sense
talents. This affects the way in which
of belonging.
the community is operating as new bonds are formed and connections are
While the girls were having a deep but
made. Recognition of one another in
playful time, their parents were invited
an enhanced way is experienced, and
to meet up with the other parents of
the community of Pymble continues
their daughters’ Compass groups and
its journey towards cohesion, shared
spend time sharing their stories and
responsibility and connectedness.
getting to know one another. By structuring a simple new way to relate to one another, where intentionality is
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Pymbulletin Issue 1 2021
Dr Arne Rubinstein CEO Rites of Passage Institute
" Year 7 students and their parents were the first group to experience the framework in practice." Dr Arne Rubinstein
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Pymbulletin Issue 1 2021
Watch Us Change the World On International Women’s Day, 8 March 2021, the College launched our Strategic Direction ‘Watch Us Change the World”, which positions Pymble as a school with unwavering belief in young women and what their futures hold.
Watch Us Change the World is not
Ang-Ya Koo, Year 8 2021
our hope; it’s our declaration. Pymble
Victoria Marsh, Year 8 2021
students bring passion and purpose
Mia Booth, Year 9 2021
to everything they do. Our girls are
Asha Goddard, Year 10 2021
encouraged to be change-makers in
Alyssa Yee, Year 10 2021
our classrooms, our community and
Olivia Bransgrove, Year 10 2021
our culture. We don’t just follow our dreams; we lead the way. We are influential and compassionate women.
Elise Djerrkura, Year 10 2021 Georgia Stuart, Year 10 2021 Charlotte Leys, Year 11 2021
Featuring 17 of our talented and
Isabel Dean, Year 11 2021
courageous girls and five Alumni,
Ella Jones, Year 12 2021
the campaign imagery is intentionally
Alexandra Whittingham, Year 12 2021
bold and challenging and highlights the rich and diverse opportunities that are available to girls at the College. Congratulations and thank you to all those who took part: Indie Leon-Searle, Year 3 2021 Kavya Surana, Year 3 2021 Zoe Chong, Year 3 2021 Sahana Vivekanandhan, Year 6 2021 Lucinda Martin, Year 6 2021
ALUMNI Briana Cowlishaw (2006) Mackenzie Little (2014) Dr Catherine Yang (1994) Christina Bartlett (1977) Harpreet Dhillon (2017)
Pymble Institute Dr Sarah Loch, Director of Research and Development at the College has been working hard over the past 12 months to establish the Pymble Institute (P.I.). The P.I. is the College’s home of research, innovation and professional learning and an element of the new Strategic Direction in the Academic Intelligence domain.
INTRODUCING THE PYMBLE INSTITUTE The overall goal of the Academic
They will use a specially designed
Intelligence pillar, of which the P.I.
Pymble Research Curriculum and
is a part, is to inspire students to explore
themes which include Researchers
what matters to them and to see
as Curious Thinkers, Researchers as
themselves in futures they may not
Detectives and Researchers take Action.
have imagined. The P.I. holds the goal of conducting, sharing and applying
Junior School students have recently
research and professional learning which
completed a whole-College survey on
can drive our thinking forward.
student wellbeing. Exploring Research as an Academic Skill, another part of
Innovation is a perfect partner with
the Pymble Research Curriculum, a
research and professional learning as it
group of students will work alongside
brings to mind the importance of using
Dr Sarah Loch, Mrs Kate Brown and Mrs
learning and research to explore new
Nerissa Davey to consider their results
and better ways of doing things in an
to questions in the survey relating to
increasingly diverse and complex world.
bullying. The Junior School has a strong culture of kindness and friendship which
How do students connect with the
makes bullying and conflict stand out.
Pymble Institute? The initials – P.I. – give a clue! As ‘Pymble Investigators’, Preparatory We are curious about what students School students will soon begin exploring
think of their results in this area and what
inquiry in scientific thinking.
action they would like to take to continue to improve their school community.
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Pymbulletin Issue 1 2021
In Year 10 Elective Geography, the
The team hope to contribute to new
concept of transdisciplinary thinking
approaches to understanding gender
is being explored with Mr Liam Hume
(such as updating policy and practices
and Ms Debra Owens. The teachers
relating to gender in the school setting).
and students in the Future Thinking
Their full study, Gender Matters, involves
workshop study are also connecting
input from young people and teachers.
with Dr Susanne Pratt from UTS who
A small group of teachers and Year 11
is helping develop the initiative and
students have the option of participating
support the teachers in their research
in a phase of this large study.
of their practice. This is an example of Researchers seeking a better way,
The Pymble Institute recently hosted our
another theme of the Pymble
second Pymble Research Conference on
Research Curriculum.
7 October 2021. The theme was ‘Making time for research’ and this is something
Gender policy is an important area
researchers and would-be-researchers
and one in the spotlight across the
certainly need to do, no matter how
nation. The NSW Association of
experienced you are in your field.
Independent Schools has partnered with experienced researchers from Western
Dr Sarah Loch
Sydney University to enable schools to
Director of Research and Development
participate in a project about genderrelated issues in schools and society.
The Pymble The InsPymble titute drive s connect Grow, Institute drives o u r th in Image to be supplied 8 July 2021 kin g engage and our thinking fo r w a r d Line and page design to be twea with ked once image has been provi forward researcwith ded. h research
Pymble Institute ng forward Driving thinki
We it We make possible for ma ke it possi ble for Pystudents Pymble and staff mble stude nts and sta ff to lea to learn and rnextend and extheir tend their skills sk inills inquiry and research in inquiry and research so th so they can and eyinstigate can instig ate and contribto contribute utresearch e to reseanow rch now and int and into theofuture. the future. As hub the hu As the ofbresearch at the of research at the The Pymble Institute amplifies College, Collethe Pymble Institute ge, th our e Pymb le Institute capacity to make a positive impact welcome welcomes connections s connec in the ns lives of girls and women. wiuniversities th universi and tio with other ties and ot her research institutions. institution We are driven by a commitment research s. to building our own skills in researc h, innovation and education.
What we learn is shared in ways that inspire others to drive their own thinking forward and to find new ways of doing. To find out more, contact us at pymbleinstitute@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au
Pymble Institute
Pymble Institute
Pymble Institute
College spirit The College has been making changes to our Student Wellbeing program, based on comprehensive data collected from parent, staff and student surveys and focus groups conducted in late 2019 and 2020. The broad aim of these changes is to embed evidence-based Wellbeing practices into every aspect of learning at Pymble. One strategic intent of our enhanced
The alignment of Kindergarten to Year
program is to increase our girls’ sense
12 Spirit Houses at Pymble commenced
of belonging and connection – the two
at the start of 2021.
key elements of a flourishing student – through our Spirit House system. We
What did this mean for girls in
believe that aligning our Houses across
Kindergarten to Year 6 girls?
our 13 year groups will help to achieve this goal.
peers by being allocated to one
throughout their time at the College will
of eight Houses named after
have an opportunity to develop strong
people who have shaped the
and authentic relationships with their
history of Pymble.
through College events, House-based community service initiatives and interHouse competitions. Aligning Houses across our sub-schools will also provide more opportunities for our Preparatory and Junior School girls to apply for House leadership roles and to increase their student voice and agency.
Pymbulletin Issue 1 2021
6 will join their Secondary School
Girls who are in the same House
peers and staff across the year groups,
40
• All girls from Kindergarten to Year
• The current Preparatory and Junior School Houses, Gibbs, Mackellar and Turner (named after Australian female authors), retired, with our fond memories and gratitude for the role they played in building House spirit among our younger girls.
KEEPING HOUSE SPIRIT IN THE FAMILY Happily, as a result of this alignment, girls in the Preparatory and Junior School girls have been allocated the same House as their grandmother, mother, relative(s) or sibling(s). The faces behind the Pymble House system: Bennett (Sky Blue) Mr Joseph Arthur Bennett taught painting, drawing and modelling when the College first opened in 1916 until his retirement in 1926. He is responsible for the design of the College Hat Badge and the College Medallion. Goodlet (Royal Blue) Colonel John Hay Goodlet was a member of a sub-committee appointed to draw up a general plan for the College buildings. Colonel Goodlet was a very generous benefactor to the Church, and was known as ‘Sydney’s great Christian philanthropist’. Hammond (Orange) Dame Joan Hammond attended Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Pymble. She excelled at all sports, especially golf, and learned violin and voice. She became widely known and very popular as an opera singer. Ingleholme (Green) Ingleholme was Pymble's first Junior School, purchased in 1959 in Turramurra. Ingleholme opened with 69 girls aged from four to nine years and was known as Ingleholme Presbyterian Ladies’ College, until it closed in 1976.
Lang (White) Reverend John Dunmore Lang was born in Scotland in 1799. He arrived in Sydney in 1823 to establish Presbyterianism in the colony and thereby raise moral standards. For the next 50 years he continued his fight against immorality. He was a powerful force in education. Marden (Red) In 1916, Dr Marden was appointed Principal of Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Pymble. He believed that “the welfare of the girls came before anything else” and in his opinion, “women should be given the best that education had to offer.” Thomas (Purple) Barbara Thomas was a student at Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Pymble from 1919 to 1924. She was Dux of the College in 1923 and 1924, College Prefect in 1924, and played Hockey and Netball. In 1930, Barbara toured overseas as a member of the first Australian women’s hockey team. Wylie (Yellow) Miss Mina Wylie taught swimming at the College for 42 years – from 1928 until her retirement in 1970. Mina was one of two women to represent Australia in the Stockholm Olympic Games where she won a silver medal. She held the record for every swimming stroke and was the first woman to achieve a Diploma from the Royal Life Saving Society in Australia.
Pymble gives back Pymble girls are raised to be influential and compassionate women and this is evident in the Junior School’s Kindness mission. On 18 June the girls marked 'B Kinder Day' shampoo and conditioner, pads and
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Pymbulletin Issue 1 2021
by collecting colouring-in packs, soap,
tampons to donate to the Hornsby
deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes,
Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter.
Kindness Captains Charlotte King and Georgia Yuen, Year 6
The girls also made special cards to be
Year 11 Textiles students who designed
given to women living at the shelter.
and made quilts during their Year 10
Along with the donations, these cards
studies also donated their beautiful
were delivered by Kindness Captains
works to the shelter in March. These
Georgia Yuen and Charlotte King, Year 6.
were gratefully received by Pymble 1977 alumnus and Hornsby and Ku-ring-
“ The world could use a little more kindness, so the purpose of B Kinder Day is to discuss kindness and empower children to see that they each have the capacity to make a difference,” said Head of Junior School, Mrs Kate Brown.
gai Women’s Shelter Board Director Catherine Knox.
“ ... the purpose of B Kinder Day is to discuss kindness and empower children...” Kate Brown
Our Cadets were the first group of girls to make the most of our beautiful new campus
Vision Valley Vision Valley has fast become a favourite destination of our girls, since the College purchased the site in 2020. Our girls have benefited from the calm and inspiration of our new Outdoor Education campus, which is only 40 minutes from Pymble. Acquired by the College in August 2020,
Mr Stuart Clark, formerly the Head of
Vision Valley backs onto the Berowra
Pymble's Experiential Learning program.
Valley National Park in Arcadia. The 30ha campus features 230 beds, a dining hall,
From OSHC girls to our Year 12
pool and water slide, an auditorium,
students, visiting the new space is
function centre and adventure
a cause for much excitement. As
infrastructure – a flying fox, high and
our younger grades are becoming
low ropes, abseiling, rock climbing,
acquainted with Pymble’s second
mountain bike trails, hiking trails and
campus, which they will often visit
outdoor camp sites. Our new campus is
during their time at the College, our
ably led by our Director of Vision Valley,
older girls are making the most of their time at Vision Valley too.
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Year 11 Elective Visual Arts students taking inspiration from the natural environment
Our Pymble Ladies’ College Cadet
expertly supported by our Outdoor
Unit – ‘the girls in green’ – was the first
Education staff.
group to descend on Vision Valley in December 2020, completing their field
In Term 2 our Year 11 Elective Visual
exercise onsite. In Term 1, the campus
Arts students called Vision Valley home
hosted Outdoor Education programs for
for their two-day learning experience
students in Years 3, 5 and 10, as well as
with artist Patrick Shirvington. Inspired
Compass Days for Years 7 and 8.
by the stunning natural environment and supported by the expertise of their
Vision Valley was busy during the Easter
teachers and artist-in-residence, our
holidays as our Duke of Edinburgh
girls had a wonderful time exploring
Bronze participants and Holiday Care
the mediums of film, sculpture and
girls enjoyed their time in the wilderness, oil painting.
Our Holiday Care girls love visiting Vision Valley.
Year 2 Co-ordinator Mrs Kate Giles
Vision Valley, it was very evident that
said the Year 2 girls were “clearly very
our girls’ collaborative skills were being
excited” when they boarded the school
developed as they negotiated and
buses to travel to Vision Valley for the
problem solved to complete challenges.
first time to enjoy bush walking, looking for frogs and a picnic lunch.
“ This led to shared reflections with other teacher observers on skills and
“ ... the Year 2 girls were clearly very excited to travel to Vision Valley...”
in the girls as they were interacting. It provided us with a window into the many of these young children were
Head of Preparatory School Mrs Karen Ahearn said: “When observing Year 2 as they had their first experience of Pymbulletin Issue 1 2021
we can see the strength of these skills
future workplace and the strengths
Kate Giles
46
capabilities in the workplace and how
already demonstrating.”
Academic life At Pymble, we are committed to creating the conditions for all students to achieve their personal best through maintaining the balance of academic rigour and wellbeing support. In 1916, educational philosopher John
Aligned with this, we endeavour to
Dewey argued that “if we teach today’s
seek out new opportunities for our
students as we taught yesterday’s, we
girls to be challenged – this includes
rob them of tomorrow.”
new subject offerings and Signature Learning Experiences.
In 2021, we introduced Aboriginal Studies
team which focused on a range of
into our Years 9 and 10 curriculum.
global competencies. This project sees
Following on its success and interest
girls inquiring into the experiences of
in more diverse subject offerings,
the diverse populations that make up
we are introducing Entertainment
Australian society, propose ways that
Industry (VET), Aboriginal Studies and
individuals and communities can be
Society and Culture into our Stage 6
proactive in promoting social justice
offerings; additionally, we have designed
and support those experiencing
Philosophy and Data Science electives
marginalisation.
for our Years 7 to 10 curriculum. We also celebrate excellence in Our vision for learning in the Secondary
extended learning opportunities, such as
School is that girls are increasingly
Future Problem Solvers and the da Vinci
exposed to complex phenomena and
Decathlon. Noteworthy achievements
real-world projects. For example, our
include our Year 7 da Vinci team placing
Geography students partner with CSIRO
first out of 75 teams at the state level
and Celestino, the company responsible
and second at the national level.
for the development of the Sydney Science Park CBD in Western Sydney,
We are proud to be the Directors
to design solutions to authentic
of Student Learning at Pymble
challenges facing developers.
Ladies' College and look forward to sharing other exciting stories of deep
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Pymbulletin Issue 1 2021
Another noteworthy celebration of
learning, purposeful partnerships, and
learning is the “Advocacy; more than a
exceptional achievement in future
word” project developed by our PDHPE
newsletters and publications.
" Self-efficacy and data literacy will be essential to participate actively in tomorrow’s society, not only as an employable and valuable worker but most importantly as an informed citizen." Cedric Le Bescont
JACINTA WELLS – SOCIETY AND CULTURE I am passionate about teaching Society
Self-efficacy and data literacy will
and Culture, as it is an excellent
be essential to participate actively in
precursor for further education;
tomorrow’s society, not only as an
combining disciplines such as
employable and valuable worker but
psychology, anthology and cultural
most importantly as an informed citizen.
studies. In our fast-paced, everchanging, globalised world, Society
I have designed new elective courses
and Culture allows students to develop
that will teach how to use large datasets
an understanding of both historical
to infer knowledge, make decisions, take
and contemporary topics. Society and
actions and form opinions.
Culture is highly beneficial for students as it develops empathy for diverse worldviews and cultures, critical thinking
RYAN STEWART – ABORIGINAL STUDIES
and research skills. Yet as a subject it also
Students in the Years 9 and 10 course
allows students to engage in an area of
have explored First Nations Dreaming,
personal passion, thus stimulating lifelong spirituality and identity along with ongoing Humans Rights concerns and learning and meaningful connections to the curriculum.
First Nations visual arts. Our students have also commenced the preparatory work for the building of a First Nations
CEDRIC LE BESCONT – DATA SCIENCE
garden, yarning circle and fire pit as part
Because of the paradoxical nature of
of an exciting Deep Learning project.
knowledge, “the more we know the more we realize the extent of our ignorance” (A.C. Grayling 2021) engaging in learning demands you to be curious, brave and well prepared. As a teacher, the question I am passionate about is how to guide and empower students to safely explore their ignorance in a rapidly changing environment?
Pymble’s continuing commitment to Aboriginal Studies by introducing the Stage 6 course in 2022 will further enable our students and staff to develop knowledge and skills in relation to First Nations peoples, society and culture.
IGSA Diving Team
Sporting highlights Congratulations to the following teams that were named Independent Girls’ Schools Association (IGSA) champions in Terms 1 and 2 this year: DIVING TEAM • Champion School in Diving for the tenth year which is a record for the
championship trophy for the first
most consecutive wins.
time since 2017 by 83 points!
CROSS COUNTRY
SENOR FIRST FOOTBALL TEAM
• Our Pymble team consisted of 56
• The Senior First Football team
athletes, eight in every age group from 12 to 18 years. There were approximately 200 athletes in every race with 26 schools competing. 50
Pymbulletin Issue 1 2021
• The College reclaimed the
remains undefeated.
SAILING TEAM The Pymble Sailing team competed
Congratulations to team members Isabella
at the 2021 NSW Secondary Schools
Green, Year 12, Charlotte Wykes, Year 9,
Teams Racing Championships at the
Isabella Holdsworth, Year 11, Chantelle
Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron from
Wu, Year 10, Clio Moran, Year 10, Olivia
Friday 30 April to Sunday 2 May.
Williams, Year 11, and Tiffany Mak, Year 9.
The competition had 24 teams competing over three days in a teams
SWIMMING TEAM
racing format.
• The results this year were team-based
The team achieved the following results: •
Best girls’ school in NSW
•
Third best overall school in NSW
•
Fifth placed team in NSW
• First Pymble Sailing team to qualify for Nationals.
results with all seven relay teams winning which is a new IGSA record. • Twelve first places, 14 second places, two thirds, and the College won all three age categories; Junior, Intermediate and Senior, and won the combined overall trophies for multi class and able bodied.
Pymble Sailing Team
IGSA Swimming Team
TRACK AND FIELD TEAM The Australian Track and Field
All our athletes performed exceptionally
Championships were held in Sydney
well and should be congratulated for a
from Monday 12 April to Monday 19
fantastic week. In total our girls won five
April. These championships include the
gold medals, two silver medals and five
best Juniors and Open athletes in the
bronze medals.
country. It was also the Olympic trials and World Junior trial event for 2021.
Well done to all our coaches and
Pymble was represented by 21 athletes
athletes on a fabulous week. A big thank
and five ex-students (all past and present
you to Ms Deb Walsham, Mrs Melinda
coaches). This was the highest number
Gainsford-Taylor, Mr Lawrie Barclay,
by any girls’ school in Australia.
Ms Leanne Pejkovic and Mr Jack Pennington for all your time, effort and commitment.
Our girls won five gold medals, two silver medals and five bronze medals in track and field.
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Katie Edwards, Marguerite Andrews, Year 12 and Melinda Gainsford-Taylor
Sarah Baker, Year 9
Grace Townsend, Year 8
Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, Ella Koster, Year 12 and Katie Edwards
Term 1 Ensemble Concert
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A Midsummer Night's Dream
Performing Arts DRAMA A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Importance of Being Earnest
Congratulations to all our wonderful
A huge congratulations to our Years 10
Drama students involved in the first
and 11 Drama students that performed
Co-curricular Drama production for
in The Importance of Being Earnest.
the year, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
This spectacular show was well received
A special thank you to Co-curricular
by a highly entertained audience. It
Drama teacher Mrs Sheree Kearney
was comic and engaging with strong
who directed this production and the
characterisation and ensemble work;
Designers and Theatre staff for all
we are so proud of these students.
their work to make the production so
A special thank you to the Director,
magical. Thank you also to Alyssa Vardy,
Ms Lizzie Dobb, for her hard work on
Year 12, who assisted the production in
the production.
the role of Stage Manager.
Ballet Without Borders
Eisteddfod Our Years 7 to 11 Drama Festival
The show was a brilliant display of
teams competed for the first time at
the dance talent at Pymble and the
the Sydney Eisteddfod in the original
dedication and passion our community
group devised category. The judge
has for supporting a good cause.
commented on their excellent polish,
The presence and performance of the
clear storylines and strong ensemble
four Australian Ballet Artists, Amber
work. A special mention to the Year
Scott, Adam Bull, Valerie Tereshcenko
8 Drama Festival team who achieved
and Brodie James, was a special
third place and the Year 9 Drama
experience for both our Dance students
Festival team who received a Highly
and the audience. It was very exciting
Commended. These are outstanding
to announce that from the ticket sales
achievements in a very large category of
we were able to raise $14,000 for Ballet
almost 20 entries.
Without Borders and a further $1,950 from the online auction.
DANCE
A huge congratulations to Miss Katrina
Ballet Without Borders
Cluff, Head of Dance, for her vision and
Congratulations to all dancers who
leadership of her amazing and dedicated
participated in the Ballet Without
team to achieve such success.
Borders event on Sunday 2 May. 56
Pymbulletin Issue 1 2021
Year 12 Farewell
MUSIC Term 1 Ensemble Concert
Term 2 Ensemble Concert and
What an absolutely fabulous evening
Year 12 Farewell
we had at the end of Term 1 when all
At our Term 2 Ensemble Concert,
our Music ensembles joined forces
we said farewell to 15 amazing
on Gloucester Lawn to finally perform
Year 12 musicians from the College
after 17 long months at our Ensemble
Co-curricular program. For some of
Concert, Let’s Get Loud! The rain
these girls, their music journey began
held off, the stars came out and the
as a member of the Year 3 String
quadrangle was filled with fabulous
program in 2012, or the Year 4 Band
music and an enthusiastic audience!
program in 2013. From trips to Italy and
Congratulations to all the performers
Japan, band camps, concerts, early
and to the Music staff and conductors
morning rehearsals, ensemble breakfasts,
for their fabulous work, and to the
eisteddfods and musicals, these 15
Head of Co-curricular Music, Mr Kurt
students have made a wonderful and
Schweinberger, for his organisation of
indelible contribution to the College
the event.
Co-curricular Music program:
Moana
Esther Choi, Alison Cook, Grace Fritz,
Every music lesson the girls rehearsed,
Katherine Gibson, Margaret Goh,
choreographing sections in groups,
Hannah Grogan, Amy Jarvis, Emily
learning to sing, as well as learning
Ji, Annabel Johns, Serena Kao, Clare
the Polynesian language. There were
Macpherson, Priya Mehra, Pragya Mehta, occasional lapses in memory, but Tara Narayan and Sophie Smith. The
above all, there were giggles and
Music Department wishes them well
camaraderie that only being part of
for their next adventures and hope that
a musical can offer.
music will always be a part of their life. The girls rose to the occasion for Year 8 Elective Music Musical
their first performance in front of the
Congratulations to all the girls in Year
Preparatory and Junior School girls. The
8 Elective Music, who performed the
laughter from the audience at Maui’s
Disney Junior version of Moana.
funny dance moves, and Tamatoa’s ‘tude brought the house down, allowing
Each of the 51 girls had a role to play
the Year 8 girls the chance to shine.
as either a Villager, Ancestor, Ocean
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Pymbulletin Issue 1 2021
Ensemble or Shiny Ensemble, as well
Thanks to the skilful direction of Mr
as four Moanas, two Mauis and his
Schweinberger and the talents of Miss
entourage, a chief, Sina, Tamatoa,
Buckley on the piano, our girls once again
Tamatoa’s claws and his gang members.
proved that they can “change the world!”
Black Watch Ties The Ex-students' Union Committee started the year with a renewed vigour and a spring in our step after the trials of 2020. New skills have been learned and a new mindset of 'yes we can' has been embraced. It's been a joy to be able to meet again face-to-face and we've been impressed by how much more efficient we've become after many months of 'Zoom' meetings.
FROM THE ESU VICE PRESIDENT The College celebrated International
the entertainment, activities, music
Women's Day with a week of festivities
and games.
including a picnic lunch on Gloucester Lawn and a panel of exceptional
The 'Year 13' Cocktail Party held at the
alumni speaking. Moderated by College
College was a lovely way for the class
Principal Dr Hadwen, dentist and author
of 2020 to come together and catch up
Dr Catherine Yang, Hornsby Ku-ring-
on what they've been doing. Members
gai Women’s Shelter Board Director
of the ESU Committee enjoyed mingling
Catherine Knox and Minister for Mental
with the girls and staff and sharing some
Health, Regional Youth and Women
of our own precious memories of our
The Hon. Bronnie Taylor, MLC shared
first year out of school. Thank you to
their thoughts on what's important for
Dr Hadwen and the staff for organising
young women of today.
such a thoughtful and fun evening.
The ESU Committee was thrilled
At the time of writing, Australia is still
to join students and staff at the
battling the ongoing presence of
International Women's Day High Tea.
COVID-19. However, in turn, the ESU
All funds raised went to UN Women
Committee has grown more determined
Australia to support their efforts
to 'find the joy' and continue to create
in gender equality and women’s
opportunities for ex-students to stay
empowerment. Everyone enjoyed
connected with the College.
Our Commemoration Day Chapel
For more information please reach
Service was re-scheduled and we
out to Katrina Corcoran our Alumni
were able to utilise the valuable skills
Relations Manager. We look forward to
we gained in 2020 to put together a
resuming face-to-face events soon, in
fabulous live event from the comfort
the meantime please stay safe.
of our own homes. Even though we couldn't all be together in the Chapel,
Victoria Muller (Murray, 1992)
this wonderful event still evoked the
Vice President, Ex-students' Union
strong feelings of inclusion, engagement and joy. Thank you to the Alumni Department and IT team who put it together and to all the guest speakers. With engagement and creating lifelong connection at the forefront of the ESU Committee's plans, we are delighted to announce we are creating an Ex-Students' Rowing Club. To work alongside the College, the concept is still in its infancy, but we are hoping it will provide the blueprint for other sports going forward. In addition, we are looking into providing ex-students with opportunities in music and drama. We look forward to sharing more information about this soon. We hope our ex-students are keeping safe and finding joy wherever possible. We remind you of our Ex-Students' Assistance Program (EAP) provided by Benestar under the MyCoach Personal and Confidential Coaching program. MyCoach offers a team of professional coaches trained to assist you with everything from mental health, relationships, exercise and sleep.
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Pymbulletin Issue 1 2021
FROM THE ALUMNI RELATIONS MANAGER It is a joy to bring this edition of the
We are Pymble proud of our four
Black Watch Ties to you with news
ex-student Olympians (pictured below)
of our ex-students and community.
who competed in the recent Tokyo
It seems that in every corner of the
Olympics and look forward to seeing
world and close to home, we have
which Pymble girls will represent
ex-students making a positive impact
Australia on home soil at the 2032
in their communities. We have been
Brisbane Olympics. Please always feel
showcasing a wonderful series of
welcome to reach out to us with news,
‘Where are they now?’ in our weekly
support or if you would like to give back
College newsletter, The College
in some capacity. I hope you enjoy this
Compass. Every story is a rich tale of
edition of the Black Watch Ties.
a life journey and helps to inspire our present students. Every ex-student is
Katrina Corcoran
important to us and we'd love to hear
Alumni Relations Manager
from anyone willing to share their story.
PYMBLE PROUD Congratulations to Pymble alumni for making the 2021 Australian Olympic Team. Edwina Tops-Alexander (1991) – Show Jumping, Genevieve Horton (2012) – Rowing, Abbey Harkin (2015) – Swimming and Mackenzie Little (2014) – Athletics. Edwina
Genevieve
Abbey
Mackenzie
L to R: Molly Zhang (2008), Vanessa Yu (2008), Stephen So, Jessica Lee (2008), Fiona Ho (2008), Samantha Lee (2008), Anna Yoon (2008)
Notices WEDDINGS Jessica Lee (2008) married Stephen So
perfect, and we had all of our friends
in the College Chapel on 17 October
and family attend from within NSW and
2020, followed by a reception at Hyatt
interstate from QLD. It really means a lot
Regency. Jessica’s bridesmaids were
to us that we could get married at my old
Pymble girls Vanessa Yu (2008) and
school. I have so many fond memories
Samantha Lee (2008).
of my days at Pymble. I cannot believe how blessed we were to have the
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Pymbulletin Issue 1 2021
Karmen Fong (2011) married Matthew
opportunity to relive those memories
Woods (Knox, 2011) in the College
during the COVID-19 pandemic! The
Chapel on 31 October 2020, followed
Chapel was as beautiful as I remembered
by a reception at Zest, The Spit.
it to be, and the service led by Reverend
Karmen’s bridesmaids were Pymble girls
Lorenzo is something I will hold close to
Aishani Arur (2011) and Carol Luo (2011).
my heart forever," Grace said.
Grace Cham (2010) married Henry
Stephanie Cook (2009) married
Zhao on Saturday 27 March 2021 in the
Rohith George (Knox, 2009) on
College Chapel. "The weather was
12 December 2020.
Karmen Fong (2011) and Matthew Woods
Lorenzo Rodriguez Torres, Grace Cham (2010) and Henry Zhao
Grace Cham (2010) and Henry Zhao
Stephanie Cook (2009) and Rohith George (Knox, 2009)
Jordan Dwyer (2016)
BIRTHS Miranda Ford (1994) and partner Kristian
Congratulations to Jordan Dwyer (2016)
Maizey welcomed their first child,
for her University accomplishments.
daughter Layla Alice Maizey on 12
Jordan was twice awarded the
August 2020.
Dean’s List of Excellence in Academic Performance (2018 and 2020) and also
NEWS
received First Class Honours (2020) and the University Medal (2020). Jordan
Congratulations to ex-student Mrs Janet
studied a Bachelor of Animal and
Dorothy Kneeshaw (Grigg, 1956) who
Veterinary Bioscience at the University of
received an OAM for service to the
Sydney with the final year of the four-
performing arts, and to the community
year course including an Honours project
as President of the Opera House Ladies
in conservation genetics. The University
Committee, contributing to three
Medal is awarded after being nominated
Choirs and ex-Board member of the
by your discipline and the Honours Board
Sunshine Home.
of Examiners making a decision based on performance in both the Honours year and the entire enrolment.
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Pymbulletin Issue 1 2021
Ex-student Tours
EX-STUDENT TOURS
CAREERS AND DEVELOPMENT
On a beautiful autumn morning, we
During Term 2, students at Pymble were
were thrilled to be able to invite back
afforded the opportunity to hear from
to the College a group of lovely ex-
several past students. Recent graduates
students for a tour and morning tea.
Akina Li (2020), studying a Bachelor of
It was wonderful to see the range in
Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine
leaving years (from very recent 2019
at UNSW, and Louise Ng (2020), who
leavers through to 1973 leavers) and
is studying a Bachelor of Biomedical
to see how the bonds of Pymble have
Science with Provisional Entry to the
connected them all. We visited familiar
Doctor of Medicine at UQ, gave their
areas of the College and also newer
time to speak to the girls. They shared
developments, both of which evoked
their tips for getting into Medicine and
fond memories and created new ones.
related fields, and the differences between
We love to welcome our ex-students
studying at school and university.
back to the College to spend time remembering and reminiscing and for
Alison Campbell (2015), a recent
us to appreciate their contribution to our
recipient of the prestigious CSIRO
wonderful school. If you are interested
Alumni Scholarship in Physics, who
in attending a tour in 2022, please email
is about to take her research in
Katrina Corcoran, Alumni Relations
renewables to Cambridge University,
Manager, on kcorcoran@pymblelc.
delivered a wonderful presentation to
nsw.edu.au. Tour dates for 2022 will be
Year 12. Alison inspired the girls with her
added to our website once confirmed.
experiences in the STEM field and
1950 – 70 Year Reunion
REUNIONS linked her advice back to the themes
1950 – 70 Year Reunion
of responsibility and courage. The
On Wednesday 11 November 2020, we
College would like to hear from more
had 15 lovely ‘Pymble girls’ attend their
Alumni who would like to give a little of
70 Year Reunion at Killara Golf Club for
their time. The Futures Team has been
lunch. It was a true delight to see these
steadily engaging wonderful ex-students
ladies who, after leaving school in 1950,
and both alumni and current students
have sustained such a life-long bond
REUNIONS AND ALUMNI EVENTS
alike gain much from such interactions.
with each other and the College. The
If you would like to offer your words
ties that bind these ladies have remained
Scan the QR code for
of wisdom, either in person or online
strong throughout the years and all
up to date reunions and
during a lunch break, please feel free to
of them were overjoyed to attend
alumni events or call
reach out to Andrew Kozyra, Director of
this milestone luncheon. These ladies
+61 2 9855 7304.
Futures and Partnerships (K-12) via email: have seen many changes throughout akozyra@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.
their lives and the current pandemic was not going to stop their gathering – true Pymble spirit. Sadly many could not attend due to distance or other reasons however all look forward to the continuing relationship and gatherings for this lovely year group. Thank you to Beth Kannegieter (Tierney) and Dorothy Oag (Cathels) for organising the event.
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Where are they now? Despite beginning her Ambassadorship amid a global pandemic, Gillian Bird PSM is enjoying her second posting to Paris. Gillian Bird, who graduated from
learning French and German and went
Pymble in 1975, took a cadetship with
on to study both at university. Loving
the Department of Foreign Affairs after
languages and travel, I applied for and
studying Arts/Law at Sydney University.
was lucky enough to get accepted by the Department of Foreign Affairs
“ I owe it all to having learned French
immediately after graduating from
at Pymble back in my high school
Sydney University.”
days,” Gillian said. “I absolutely loved
“ I owe it all to having learned French at Pymble back in my high school days...” Gillian Bird PSM
Posted to Paris, Gillian met Henry, the
“ My son has returned to Australia and is
man who would become her husband.
looking forward to actually studying in
Today they are back where their story
the US next year – rather than doing it
began, in the City of Light, joined for a
remotely from our study in Paris. Henry
time by their son, Daniel.
and I are enjoying exploring Paris and visiting places we used to go to
“ Things are beginning to open up in
when we were here many years ago.
Paris and life is returning to a more
We’ll know that life has really returned
normal state, despite the continued
to normal when we start having visitors
menace of COVID-19.
from Australia – fingers crossed that it won’t be too far off.”
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Pymbulletin Issue 1 2021
105 objects in 105 years To mark 105 years since the foundation of Pymble Ladies' College, Archivist Enid O'Carroll celebrates 105 objects of memorabilia, a few of which are shared here. 1918 First official Pymble uniform In 1918 the Black Watch tartan became the official uniform. The 1919 Prospectus listed the uniform as follows; black shoes and stockings, box pleated Black Watch tartan skirt, to be obtained from the College, price 7/6 per yard. White shirt blouses, navy blue blazer bound with black, black hair ribbons, Panama hat with hatband with badge and black gloves. 1946 Brass Gongs The more unusual artefacts of the Heritage Collection include the brass gongs. Created and gifted to the school in 1946 by Lt Archer, from the crew of HMA ML822, the gongs were given in thanks for the support the College provided in the time of war. 1951 Giant Stride Miss Knox was the supervisor on the first day of the Giant Stride operation and instructed the girls in the use of their new play equipment. Unfortunately, the girls became hopelessly tangled in the chains and the bars, and became somewhat bumped, bruised and blistered. The thrill of recklessly flying on the Giant Stride is one of the most popular memories of being a Pymble girl.
1981 10,000th student In 1981, the College recorded its 10,000th student, Alexandra Austin (Khan, 1987). In this photograph, Alex is surrounded by Pymble staff and family as she signs the register: (from left to right) Mistress in Charge of Junior School, Miss Ramsey; Number 833 on the register, Mrs Gwenyth Staniland (Lloyd, 1934); Number 4086 on the register, Mrs Jennifer Kaan (Staniland, 1957); Principal, Miss Buckham; and First Assistant, Mrs Burgoyne. 1991 Pymble Lady Camellia An initiative of the 75th Anniversary Committee, the camellia named Pymble Lady is a beautiful scarlet camellia japonica. Described as featuring dense foliage of dark green glossy leaves, semi double red flowers and vibrant yellow stamens, the Pymble Lady is the College's celebratory flower. 2017 Cadet Unit slouch hat The iconic slouch hat is an integral part of the uniform of our history-making Pymble Ladies' College Cadet Unit (PLCCU). Introduced in 2017 to offer students the opportunity to participate in a program traditionally run at boys' schools, the PLCCU is the first all-female unit in the Southern Hemisphere and was ratified by the Australian Army.
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“If our girls can dream it, they can do it at Pymble.” DR KATE HADWEN PRINCIPAL
WATCH US CHANGE THE WORLD
TM
pymblelc.nsw.edu.au Avon Road Pymble NSW 2073 PO Box 136 North Ryde BC NSW 1670 Australia +61 2 9855 7799 A SCHOOL OF THE UNITING CHURCH
2021-PUB-1v18
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