Senior School

A MESSAGE FROM MRS WYSE

“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” – Ella Fitzgerald

2020 was a year that saw unprecedented challenge for our Senior School girls and our community. Inspired and led by our wonderful Prefects, the Senior girls worked hard to achieve their best, support each other and provide service to their broader communities.

The year began with the Bushfire Relief Charity Concert which aimed to raise funds for communities affected by the devasting Christmas bushfires. It was a night of extraordinary talent and entertainment, ably led by the Senior School Leaders. Not long after that, the calendar of events was upended as COVID-19 restrictions and an eventual period of online learning and activities was implemented.

Jocelyn Wu, Heidi Flood and Cathaline Guan, Year 12

The Senior School girls rose to the challenges, engaging in their classes with gusto and independence, while still maintaining involvement in a variety of online sporting, academic and cultural opportunities. Innovation was high on the list of attributes as the girls organised online training sessions, online music and cultural activities and even a virtual Study Camp during the term break. Many girls accepted the challenge of the Principal’s Project and created some original and thought-provoking endeavours that saw them connecting with their global communities and reading bedtime stories to younger girls, to name but two. The return to learning on campus brought a welcome sense of energy and good humour back into the Kate Mason Building. Despite restrictions, the girls and Senior School staff still managed to knit hundreds of squares for Wrap With Love and collect a variety of non-perishable foods and sanitary items for those less fortunate in our community. With the ‘new normal’ we introduced a new event for the Year 12 girls – the Teddy Bears’ Picnic, which allowed the girls to enjoy a lunch with their Connect groups and their newly named Pymble bears. Through online assemblies, Chapel services and guest speakers, the Senior School girls worked hard to build connections and lead their younger peers across the College. Thankfully, the Year 12 girls and parents were able to celebrate and acknowledge their final year of schooling with a special Senior School Speech Day and the Year 12 Valedictory Dinner at Miramare Gardens. It was truly a joy to see the girls letting their hair down and dancing the night away! Year 11 girls enjoyed the inaugural Experiential Learning Week at the beginning of Term 4, as they took up the mantle of leadership in the College. Their enthusiasm, sense of school spirit and willingness to ‘have a go’ are true hallmarks of the year group. The girls were inspired by the words of Rey-Hanna Vakili (2008) and engaged in workshops with a variety of speakers including GPs in Schools, Brent Sanders (personal safety), Professor Gin Malhi (mental health), Kathryn Taylor (career readiness skills) and Brett Lee (cyber etiquette and safety). The program also included two days of outside activities to challenge the girls and build connections across the year group. 2020 was a year of growth, resilience and achievement for the girls in the Senior School. They involved themselves wholeheartedly in a range of opportunities and created a kind and supportive community. I would like to thank all the girls, parents and staff of the Senior School for their efforts and their character through some very tough times. Their unwavering care, encouragement and dedication to personal growth and community spirit was inspiring. Mrs Nikki Wyse, Head of Senior School

2020 was a year of growth, resilience and achievement for the girls in the Senior School.

Senior School

SENIOR SCHOOL LIAISONS’ REPORT

International Women’s Day

This year, International Women’s Day highlighted to the girls a new insight into the power of this global movement striving to celebrate the achievements of women and calling for action and equality. The theme for 2020’s International Women’s Day was ‘Each for Equal’; with the goal to create a world where every girl and woman has equal opportunities to fulfil their full potential. Guest speakers this year included ex-students Jessica Harwood and Tahire Wijetilaka. Jessica, a communications campaigner at the Sunrise Project in Sydney, is also a freelance illustrator. After graduating from Pymble in 2005, Jess attended the University of Sydney, gaining her Bachelor of International Studies and Bachelor of Laws. Tahire, Head Prefect 2018, has worked as an Electorate Officer and debating coach since leaving Pymble. She has recently been accepted to study History at the University of Oxford. Both speakers provided strong female voices for the girls to look up to and to also see an example of life after school and the goals we can achieve.

Wrap With Love

Wrap With Love, an annual event in the school calendar, saw the Pymble community join together to aid the wider community and to help those in need. The girls in Years 11 and 12 and their families knitted squares to be made into blankets for those displaced after natural disasters, spending winter in refugee camps, those who are homeless and/or living below the poverty line. Knit Ins were held at various Connect sessions allowing for us to connect whilst still making an impact on the wider community. The initiative was highly valuable as it showed the girls the importance of community service and helping those in need.

Niley Woodhouse and Isabel Ryan, Year 12

Thank You

Although 2020 came with its challenges and obstacles the Senior School community was packed with celebrations and opportunities for the girls to make memories that will last a lifetime. All the students and staff came together to support and persevere throughout the year, making it an enjoyable time for all. We would like to thank Mrs Gallardo, Mrs Wyse and Mrs Harrison for their ongoing support throughout the year. We are so grateful to be a part of such an enthusiastic and loving cohort.

Isabel Ryan and Niley Woodhouse, Senior School Liaison Prefects

Niley Woodhouse, Isabel Ryan, Ms Tahire Wijetilaka (2018), Ms Jessica Harwood (2005), Annabelle Richens and Viveca Tang, Year 12