Year 12 demonstrated that every voice at Pymble, from the quietest peep to the mightiest roar, deserves to be heard and celebrated.
Welcome to this celebration of our Class of 2024, a courageous and caring group of young adults who brought the ‘roar’ (and so much more) to Pymble in ‘24.
One of the first actions of each incoming Year 12 leadership team is to choose an overarching theme to unite and inspire the student body. The big reveal is always a joyful and highly anticipated event as the theme tends to speak volumes about the character of the cohort and the tone they wish to set for their final year at the College.
This year, our prefects thoughtfully combined elements of the Lion King, Katy Perry’s anthemic song, Roar, and the iconic lion on our College crest to arrive at ‘2024 Hear us Roar’. Inspired by the characters we know and love in the Lion King, Year 12 embarked on a journey of supporting, connecting and empowering their ‘pride’ and our younger ‘cubs’ to: believe in yourself, learn from the past, be brave when you need to be, and, of course, not to worry, too much. Hakuna matata.
Class of 2024, our pride and joy
As a cohort, they exemplified our College values of Care, Courage, Intregrity, Respect and Responsibility by being of service to others in our community. This included running a highly successful event for The World’s Greatest Shave, knitting countless squares for Wrap With Love and hosting our much-loved Year 12 Charity Trivia Night in support of Taldumande Youth Services, the Barbara May Foundation, Days for Girls and the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter.
As leaders of the school, they demonstrated that every voice at Pymble, from the quietest peep to the mightiest roar, deserves to be heard and celebrated. The launch of Pymble Pulse was a great example of how this year group harnessed their passion for community to amplify school spirit and celebrate student achievements across all areas of the College.
Congratulations to our graduates for these outstanding academic results; it has been rewarding to see your hard work pay off. And thank you for the many and varied ways you have used your unique gifts and talents to make our world a better place.
Wherever you are headed next down the great river of life, may you continue to “choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance the tide”. And always remember that those of us who have had the good fortune to share your journey so far will be with you in spirit and watching on with pride.
Dr Kate Hadwen PRINCIPAL
Class of 2024, We are Immensely Pymble Proud!
We are thrilled to celebrate the exceptional achievements of our Class of 2024. These results are a testament to their determination, resilience, the unwavering support of their families, and the dedication of our outstanding teaching staff. At Pymble, we foster a culture of academic curiosity and personal growth, and it is heartening to see our students flourish, achieve their personal best and secure remarkable outcomes across a diverse range of subjects.
285 students from Pymble Ladies’ College sat for the NSW Higher School Certificate in 50 courses and were eligible for an ATAR. When compared to the state average, results in Bands 5 and 6 (2-unit courses) and Bands E3 and E4 (extension courses) have remained consistently well above the state. On average, 80 per cent of Pymble candidates across all 2 Unit courses offered at the College achieved results in Band 5 and 6, compared with 48 per cent of students across the state in the same subjects.
Pymble students achieved an incredible six first-in-course awards and another 14 state rankings, including two each for Biology, Italian Beginners and Visual Arts. 33 students were named as All Rounders with Band 6 or E4 in ten or more units. 233 (82 per cent) students had at least one Band 6 result (above 90) placing them on the Distinguished Achievers list.
Brilliant subjects this year with 100 per cent of students in Band 6 or E4 were Chinese Continuers, Chinese Extension, Classical Greek Continuers, Latin Continuers, Latin Extension and Music Extension.
Pymble students excelled in the following 2-unit subjects in which the combined Band 5/6 results were 30% or more above the state results (22 subjects with an * also had three times or more the state percentage of Band 6 students). Aboriginal Studies*, Agriculture, Ancient History*, Biology*, Business Studies*, Dance*, Design and Technology*, Drama*, Earth and Environmental Science*, Economics, English EAL/D*, Entertainment Industry, Food Technology*, Geography, Hospitality*, Investigating Science*, Japanese Continuers*, Legal Studies*, Mathematics Advanced, Mathematics Standard*, Modern History*, Music 1*, PDHPE*, Society and Culture, Textiles and Design* and Visual Arts*.
In addition, these subjects had 100 per cent of students in Band 5 and 6 (above 80) for 2-unit subjects and E3 and E4 for extension subjects; Aboriginal Studies, Chinese Continuers, Classical Greek Continuers, Dance, Drama, Japanese Continuers, Latin Continuers, Music 1, Visual Arts, Chinese Extension, English Extension 1, English Extension 2, French Extension, History Extension, Japanese Extension, Latin Extension, Mathematics Ext 2, Music Extension, Science Extension.
Record numbers of students were nominated for HSC Showcases;
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
81 nominations! Every Dance student was nominated, all Drama groups were nominated and 75 per cent of Visual Arts students achieved a nomination for ARTEXPRESS. Music, Design and Technology and Textiles and Design also celebrated multiple nominations. Their dedication and commitment to excellence in completing a major work have been truly inspiring and we are very excited that Pymble has students selected to have their major work exhibited at the following showcases: Young Writers – English Extension 2, CALLBACK – Dance, ARTEXPRESS – Visual Arts and SHAPE – Textiles and Design.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson. This quote beautifully emphasises the strength and potential our students carry with them. Like the roaring lion, we are confident they will approach new challenges with courage and we cannot wait to see the incredible impact they will have on the world.
Mrs Natasha Stanfield DIRECTOR OF STUDIES (YEAR
7-12)
A Necklace of Brilliance
“Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness of people.” Roy T. Bennett
Our 2024 Year 12 students have navigated a school journey marked by unique challenges, emerging from their final year with grace and determination –dedicated to achieving their personal goals, encouraging each other and contributing meaningfully to their community.
As a year group, as leaders of the College and as strong supporters of one another, each student has played an important role in our shared experience across a wide array of academic, creative and co-curricular areas.
Beyond this, she has brought her distinctive wisdom, care and friendship to her peers, enriching and strengthening the fabric of our community.
For this year group, I have chosen to reflect on the words of Roy T. Bennett, “Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people.”
I know how this graduating class has embodied the values embedded in this quotation. Through their kindness and thoughtfulness, they have inspired positivity, nurtured connections and brought out the best in those around them.
Similarly, for their graduating speech, I drew on the metaphor of gemstones to illustrate how each girl in this cohort is like a precious stone, with her own particular qualities and brilliance.
Together, they form a beautiful and distinctive necklace — a reflection of their individuality and the strength of their collective spirit. To me, this necklace symbolises the unity, diversity and beauty of the Class of 2024.
Graduation is the result of hard work and perseverance, and I hope each of our students feels a deep sense of pride in what they have accomplished, just as their teachers and friends are proud of them.
I would also like to extend my gratitude to the parents of our graduating Year 12s. Your guidance, unwavering support and encouragement have helped the girls persist through challenges and shine brightly throughout this year.
Many of you have made sacrifices to attend training sessions, stayed up late to cheer on performances, and provided steady reassurance, and your dedication to your daughters’ education has not gone unnoticed. Thank you also for your loyalty and steadfast support of the College – it has been greatly appreciated.
Looking back on the graduating class of 2024, I am both comforted and
confident in the knowledge that they will continue to embrace challenges, value kindness and beauty, and seek answers to life’s toughest questions as they move forward into the next stage of their lives.
This year group is defined by the shining diversity of their personal strengths, empathy, desire to grow and their compassionate leadership. I congratulate each student on her accomplishments and offer my heartfelt thanks for the character and spirit they have shared so generously with the Pymble community.
Like all their teachers, I eagerly anticipate hearing about the new chapters they will write, and I hope they will always remember that they are forever Pymble girls!
Mrs Nikki Wyse HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL
Farewell Year 12!
Our girls were able to celebrate their time at Pymble and acknowledge their incredible achievements with a memorable Chapel Service and Awards Ceremony. The special day also saw Alicia Ge named Dux of the Class of 2024. Congratulations to all!
Dr Kate Hadwen (Principal), Dux Alicia Ge and Mr Chris Fydler OAM (Chair of Board)
Pymble Ladies’ College Class of 2024
ATAR HSC Performance
Pymble Ladies’ College performed exceptionally across First in Course, All-round Achievers and Distinguished Achievers, with 272 individual mentions across the three categories.
NESA ALL-ROUND ACHIEVERS
33
ALL-ROUND ACHIEVERS
Thirty-three Pymble students were named in the NESA All-round Achievers list. This list acknowledges the students who achieved a result in the highest band possible (Band 6 or Band E4) in ten or more units of courses in their current pattern of study:
• Anuradha Apana
• Abigail Barfield
• Wing Hey (Rachel) Chan
• Lucy Chen
• Hwayoung (Young) Cho
• Amber Conlon
• Caitlin Costello
• Annabel Davidson
• Emma Eaton
• Alisha Fung
• Alicia Ge
• Lara Groves-Berry
• Grace Ho
• Lily Yeting Huang
• Rui Wen Jian
• Jessie Li
• Jia Yin (Carrie) Luo
• Georgia Mandalakoudis
• Catherine Nachar
• Emma Parsons
• Xiaoke (Coco) Ran
• Chengjia (Julie) Sheng
• Chelsea Shi
• Jessica Slater
• Stephanie So
• Eleni Vassiliadis
• Caiyi Wang
• Han Le Wong
• Jiunn-Chyi Wu
• Jiayan Xie
• Mulan Xu
• Elena Zhang
• Shilei Zhu
FIRST IN COURSE
The following students achieved First in Course across a variety of courses:
Anuradha Apana 1st in Business Studies
Abigail Barfield 1st in Aboriginal Studies
Hwayoung (Young) Cho 1st in Visual Arts
Yvette Volk 1st in Hospitality Examination
Caiyi Wang 1st in Chinese Continuers
Mulan Xu 1st in Classical Greek Continuers
TOP ACHIEVERS IN COURSE
The following students earned a place in the Top Achievers in Course list across a variety of courses:
Evelyn Zhu 11th in Biology
Hwayoung (Young) Cho 17th in Biology
Caiyi Wang 2nd in Chinese Extension
Aashna Rana 6th in Drama
Emma Parsons 9th in Food Technology
Alisha Fung 8th in History Extension
Grace Ho 5th in Italian Beginners
Eliza Kennedy 5th in Italian Beginners
Adeline Tong 2nd in Japanese Continuers
Yae Na (Deborah) Lee 2nd in Japanese Continuers
Jasmine Li 3rd in Latin Continuers
Alicia Ge 5th in Physics
Anna Ward 3rd in Visual Arts
Sophie Toma 4th in Visual Arts
2024 ATAR RESULTS
The highest reported ATAR was 99.95 achieved by Alicia Ge. Other outstanding ATARs were:
• Caiyi Wang - 99.90 • Young Cho - 99.85
Chelsea Shi - 99.85
Emma Parsons - 99.80
DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVERS LIST
The NESA Distinguished Achievers list acknowledges the students who achieved a result in the highest band (Band 6 or Band E4) for one or more courses.
233 GIRLS ON THE DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVERS LIST
82% of cohort
22 STUDENTS WITH ATARS >99.00
THE PYMBLE CLASS OF 2024 ACHIEVED A MEDIAN ATAR OF 92.4
21st IN THE SMH TOP 100 SCHOOLS REPORT PYMBLE RANKED
Zhizhen Wang, Alice Guan and Elizabeth Zhu Chan
How a Slow and Steady Study Routine Helped Alicia Win Dux
When Alicia Ge’s name was read out as Pymble’s Dux of 2024, she was completely overjoyed.
She knew, however, that the hard work was only just beginning.
It was only when she woke up on the morning of Wednesday 18 December to the news that she’d achieved a perfect ATAR of 99.95 – one of only 54 students in New South Wales – that all those years of balance, perseverance and a deep-rooted passion for learning had finally paid off.
Achieving the title of Dux is no small feat, however, Alicia’s success didn’t stem from burying her head in textbooks as one would expect, but rather from a carefully balanced approach.
Just like there’s more than one way to solve a problem, Alicia proved there are many ways to earn the title of Dux apart from the traditional way.
While many past Pymble Dux have revealed studying for countless hours, day after day, was their secret to earning the top academic gong,
“Over the past six years, the College has provided me with the space and support to discover who I am as a person, and I am truly thankful to Pymble for who I am today.”
Alicia knew her limits and made her study routine sustainable.
Rather than exhaust herself with constant revision and risk burn out, for most of the year Alicia only revised her notes once or twice a week to stay on top of the content. But when exams drew near, it was then she hit the accelerator and ramped up the intensity.
“In the week before exams, I would work harder and do a lot of past papers to get myself into the exam mindset,” said Ge.
ALICIA GE
“This way, I could relax during the term, while also motivating myself to focus more intensely before exams.”
Alicia’s subjects in 2024 consisted of Chemistry, Physics and English Advanced, six units in total. You may be asking why, in her final year of school, she completed four units less than the rest of her peers.
That’s because she completed her other four units, studying HSC Maths Extension 1 and 2 in 2023, whilst still in Year 11.
However, the thought of competing against a cohort a year older than her didn’t deter Alicia; she just put her head down, applied herself and did her best, making sure to have some fun along the way.
“I like maths a lot, so I really enjoyed challenging myself to do the course a year early,” said Ge.
“Finishing four units last year not only helped with my workload this year, but also completing several high-pressure exams already allowed me to refine my exam technique and relax more during my assessments this year.”
But don’t be fooled – although Alicia’s academic gameplan wasn’t as arduous as some of the Dux who came before her, her academic success was underpinned by unique strategies tailored to individual subjects.
For example, Chemistry and Physics required significant content
memorisation, and Alicia tackled these subjects with an active learning approach by quickly skimming the content then immediately testing herself with questions or creating her own problems to solve.
“The process of writing it up and thinking about how to structure a response helped condense the information in my mind,” said Ge.
Not every subject came naturally to Alicia, however. English, which she describes as her most unpredictable, came with its own set of challenges.
In earlier years, Alicia admits she avoided it out of dislike, but knew this wasn’t an option in Year 12 if she wanted to get the remarkable results she ended up achieving.
“This year, I tried to engage more with this subject that I always felt I couldn’t really get along with,” said Ge.
“With more practice, the time I put in allowed me to discover that English was actually amazing, and had a different kind of charm to the STEM subjects I was used to.”
Alicia’s advice to younger students is simple yet profound, based on progress and personal growth over perfection: focus on doing your best and leave no stone unturned along the way.
“Everyone has different goals, just make sure not to leave with any regrets,” said Ge.
Looking to the future, Alicia has her sights set on a career in medicine, wanting one day to become a doctor. After everything she’s achieved so far, you’d be brave to bet against her reaching her goal.
She also graciously thanks the College for the role it played in not only her academic development, but also in helping her become the determined young woman she’s grown into.
“Pymble’s values, especially its focus on wellbeing, have been especially important, encouraging me to develop my own identity and mindset,” said Ge.
“Over the past six years, the College has provided me with the space and support to discover who I am as a person, and I am truly thankful to Pymble for who I am today.”
How Bella and Julie made Pymble Roar in ‘24
American author and pastor John C. Maxwell defines a leader as ‘one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way’, and no one epitomised that sentiment in 2024 more than Bella Walker and Julie Sheng, Pymble’s two Head Prefects.
But they did far more than just know and show the way; the implementation of their theme ‘2024: Hear us Roar’ instilled an ethos throughout the College that every student can be a leader – not just the ones with titles and badges – and they will be heard and supported every step of the way.
“Every student within the College was driven to ‘roar’ as loud as possible, express their diverse perspectives and recognise that their voices were heard and valued,” said Sheng.
Bella says the goal of their theme was to uplift those around them so all students felt part of a community and worked towards being the best versions of themselves.
“I feel this is something we relayed back every assembly, whether it was the success of our Robotics team, a charity event, a football match – it was always about our pride and celebrating each other’s success,” Walker said.
When asked what being a Pymble girl meant to them, both girls’ answers were closely aligned to their theme and the culture they were trying to foster throughout the year.
For Bella, it meant being curious, kind, empathetic and always giving things a go. Julie said it was about being bright, bold, confident and seizing every opportunity.
‘2024: Hear us Roar’ instilled an ethos throughout the College that every student can be a leader – not just the ones with titles and badges – and they will be heard and supported every step of the way.
“When I first walked through the Pymble gates as a new Year 7 student, I was infused with a strong sense of community – the smiling faces of the students and teachers made me feel immediately at home,” said Sheng.
“Over the years, the College became a safe space where I knew I was loved and supported. It was also a driving force that pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and rise to exciting new challenges, providing me with countless opportunities and helping me discover who I am and what I’m truly passionate about.”
As the two girls prepare to move on to the next chapter of their lives, Bella hopes the self-love and inspiration they tried to instil in their peers is the legacy they leave behind, and that it always remains in the back of everyone’s minds as the years go on.
BELLA WALKER AND JULIE SHENG
“I have a new appreciation for the power of listening, authenticity, asking for help and knowing that when we all work together, we achieve better outcomes and grow as a team.”
Julie echoed that sentiment, adding that she wants Pymble girls to continue to unapologetically ‘roar’ in everything they do.
“I hope that the girls recognise their full potential and flourish as they grow the courage to ‘roar’ their unique ideas and talents. And above all, I hope that they embrace the courage to be themselves, and take pride in their achievements,” Sheng said.
The leadership and maturity Bella and Julie displayed during the time in their roles as Head Prefects was far beyond their years – they’d arguably give many of our elected leaders a run for their money – but there were many things they had to learn on the job.
“I learned that leadership involves supporting others to embrace new experiences and do the best in any area they choose to pursue,” said Walker.
“I have a new appreciation for the power of listening, authenticity, asking for help and knowing that when we all work together, we achieve better outcomes and grow as a team.”
Julie’s main outtake, on the other hand, was learning when to pull the trigger in terms of decision making, and when to hold fire.
“There are times when a leader needs to take the first step and serve as an exemplar, to reach a decision and follow through, but there are also times when the leader should draw back from the spotlight and listen to the rich insights their team has to offer,” Sheng said.
There were also unexpected aspects of the role that surprised the two; for Bella, it was the large amount of
collaboration through communicating with different people to reach students in multiple branches of the College.
And whilst Julie knew that the Head Prefect role would naturally come with a lot of public speaking, what surprised her the most was how comfortable she was talking in front of a packed audience.
“When I first started speaking in front of Years 7 to 12 in assembly, I thought that the speech would be quite nerveracking. However, I soon discovered that speaking to a large group was actually more relaxing than speaking to one or two people,” said Sheng.
When Bella and Julie were asked to reflect on the wonderful years they spent at the College, the highlights they listed could be a separate article in and of themselves.
“For me, the highlights are definitely the incredible friendships we’ve made and the adventures we took on: the one and only Year 7 skip camp, being the first group to undertake the Vision Valley long stay, trekking Namadgi and home learning during COVID,” Walker said.
Vision Valley was also on top of Julie’s list of favourite memories, but she says she also thoroughly enjoyed her involvement with and the work she did for the Pymble Institute.
“I loved participating in the world of academic research with the Pymble Institute, which gave students like me the chance to discuss research proposals in the Ethics Committee, publish my own articles in the Perspective Research Journal and present out research at our research conference,” said Sheng.
Inseparable in their leadership in 2024, 2025 will see both girls go their separate ways as they embark on different journeys post-Pymble.
“I am going to live in England next year, working in a school as a boarding mistress and sports coach whilst exploring the UK and Europe in the holiday breaks, with the plan to start university in 2026,” said Walker.
Julie says she has so many interests that she wants to pursue, that she’s taking some time to figure out what subject she wants to devote her university life – and possible career – to, another decision where she’s sensibly choosing to hold fire.
“In ten years, maybe I’ll be a writer, or an educator. Although I know for sure that whatever I path I decide to take, I’ll definitely want to be moonlighting as a food critic,” Sheng said.
With their school years now behind them, both girls had no hesitation in recommending the College to prospective parents considering sending their daughter to Pymble.
“I can confidently share that Pymble is a school where your little girl will grow to be a woman of the world. She’ll make wonderful friends and learn from incredible teachers in world-class facilities,” said Walker.
“She will develop the values of kindness, care, resilience and courage, and have the opportunity to strive for her highest. I look forward to meeting her one day because, as I now know, once a Pymble girl, always a Pymble girl.”
From to Boarding Head Prefect
Commonly referred to as the ‘beating heart of Pymble’, it takes a special kind of girl to be a Pymble Boarder.
And from the very moment she set foot in the College it was clear that Skye Pockley, one of Pymble’s 2024 Boarding Head Prefects, had what it took to be the leader of this remarkable group.
Hailing from the sun-drenched shores of Byron Bay, located on the far-north coast of New South Wales, Skye started Boarding at Pymble halfway through Year 8 in 2020, not long after the first COVID lockdown.
“The Boarding community is so diverse and supportive. It’s a place where students can thrive, make lifelong friends and take advantage of incredible opportunities.”
When she first walked through the College gates, Skye was immediately struck by Pymble’s exceptional facilities and the warm, welcoming environment within the Boarding community.
“The opportunities on offer and the sense of inclusion were truly remarkable,” said Pockley.
As is the case for many girls who hail from country New South Wales, interstate and even overseas, packing up her life and becoming a boarder was a massive change in lifestyle for Skye.
At home in Byron Bay, her life heavily revolved around helping at the local surf club. Skye’s family also manage a cattle property near Wallendbeen in southern New South Wales.
At Pymble, Skye was heavily involved in sports, notably rowing from Year 8 all the way through to Year 12 where she competed in numerous national and international events, including the 2023 Henley Royal Regatta, the world’s most renowned rowing regatta held on the River Thames, England.
She also swam competitively and played social hockey and football
SKYE POCKLEY
throughout Year 11 and 12, which she describes as a “highlight of [her] time at Pymble.”
In 2024, Skye’s leadership qualities were recognised when she was appointed Boarding Head Prefect, a role she shared with Aspen Moore.
Carolyn Burgess, Head of Boarding, says Skye and Aspen were fantastic leaders of their younger peers and excellent representatives of the Boarding community.
“Skye and Aspen have been incredible role models for our Boarders, demonstrating openness, kindness and generosity of spirit,” said Burgess.
“Despite their busy schedules, they always had time to listen to their Boarding sisters and offer sensible advice and encouragement.”
Leading a diverse community of Boarders from all corners of the globe, Skye and Aspen took pride in fostering communication across different houses and year groups.
“Hearing ideas and proposals from various perspectives really opened my eyes to the richness of our community,” said Pockley.
While balancing Year 12 studies, rowing commitments and her leadership role was demanding, Skye
said communicating with the Boarding staff and her peers was what got her through.
“The Boarding staff are amazing at understanding where you are at, and this really helped me,” said Pockley.
“During the rowing season, I had to be very particular in organising my time, especially when I had a busy week ahead.
“But the staff are always on board and aware about what’s happening with each student. The way they reminded us to stay organised ahead of time was such a great help.”
For Skye, the most challenging part of becoming a Boarder wasn’t homesickness, as was the case for many others; she enjoyed the new-found taste of freedom and responsibility.
Watching the parents of day students cheer on their daughters during sports and activities, however, was particularly tough.
“Although my family and parents went to huge efforts to watch my sports and cheer me on, this often wasn’t possible,” said Pockley.
“I learnt, however, that even though they weren’t there in person, they were supporting me as best they could from home.”
With her sights set on her undoubtedly bright future, Skye plans to pursue a
double degree, Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Psychological Science.
Reflecting on the four-and-a-half years she spent at the College Skye says she’ll be forever grateful for the opportunities she was offered and friendships she made at while at Pymble.
“The Boarding community is so diverse and supportive,” said Pockley.
“It’s a place where students can thrive, make lifelong friends and take advantage of incredible opportunities.
“My journey here has been a highlight in itself – an experience I will forever cherish and never forget.”
STEM-Focused Sophie is Forging Her Own Path
SOPHIE
“The exposure to so many different opportunities certainly helped me develop my sense of self and explore my interests”
If there were a ‘Pymble Book of Records’ with a title for the youngest girl ever enrolled at the College, Sophie Wang would likely hold it.
In November 2006, when Sophie was just two days old and still in the hospital, her grandmother brought in a set of Pymble Ladies’ College enrolment forms and handed them to her daughter, Zoe.
What makes this story so heartwarming, however, is that Sophie’s grandmother wasn’t just any proud family member eager to secure
her granddaughter’s future – her grandmother was (and still is) Gillian Moore AO, the Principal of Pymble Ladies’ College from 1989 to 2007.
When asked what legacy Gillian left after her 18 years of service, it became affectionately clear that Sophie sees her grandmother quite differently compared to the wider Pymble community, who consider Gillian one of the most respected and transformative principals the College has ever had.
WANG
“That’s a hard question to answer, because to me, she’s just always been Gran,” said Wang.
A talented musician, Sophie played the euphonium in four different College bands, many times inside of the theatre named after her grandmother.
“I saw her influence whenever I played in the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts, which we call ‘Gran’s Theatre’ in my family,” Wang said.
“She was the first principal to introduce laptops to all Year 5 students back in the day. She always thought it was important to make sure girls were comfortable with technology, and that influence is still felt at the College today.”
But Sophie is her own woman and forged her own path during her six years at the College.
She played netball and touch football and was a dedicated musician and member of the Pymble Robotics team. According to Sophie, getting involved in everything you can is ‘what being a Pymble girl is all about’.
“The exposure to so many different opportunities certainly helped me develop my sense of self and explore my interests,” said Wang.
“This has really helped me work out what I might like to do at university, as well as given me insight on the world around me.”
Sophie was also an extremely talented Design and Technology student, and credits her love for the subject, as well as the support and mentorship of her teacher, Mr Peter Ellis, as to why she’s
planning on studying architecture at the University of Technology Sydney in 2025.
And it seems Sophie has taken the College’s tagline, Watch Us Change the World, quite literally – she dreams of one day becoming an architect, creating eye-catching buildings and replacing ones she deems, let’s say, ‘less inspiring’.
“There are a few buildings around the world that I really don’t like, so in ten years’ time, I would like to be involved in building beautiful buildings that inspire people, and maybe replacing a few eyesores in the process,” Wang said playfully.
Sophie’s love of beautiful, inspirational creations was evident in her Design and Technology major work, which reflected her lifelong love of STEM and her belief that it was unfair how boys often had a wider variety of STEM toys and more opportunities than girls.
“My major work was a dollhouse that features aspects of a real house, such as insulated walls, double-glazed windows and geothermal heating,” said Wang.
“These parts are made to be assembled by young girls, so they build the dollhouse themselves and learn about STEM aspects of construction in the process, inspiring them to get involved in these fields in the future which are still male dominated.”
Sophie got a taste of leadership at Pymble when she accepted the role of Marden House Prefect in 2023/24, working closely alongside co-House Prefect Cate Walker to build house spirit and bring girls across different year groups closer together.
“It was great getting to know so many different girls in Marden House across different year groups, from Year 6 all the way through to girls in Year 12 who I hadn’t spoken to much until this year,” Wang said.
“I found that it was important to listen to people’s feedback about house time and other activities so we could improve engagement and make it as enjoyable as possible,” Wang said.
When some students are asked to list highlights of their time at Pymble, they jump straight to their achievements.
For Sophie, hers are rooted in the joy of shared experiences.
From building friendships at the FIRST Robotics World Championships in Houston and having her dad coach her Year 11 touch football side, to late-night dancing with her friends in the design and technology workshop while completing her major work and welcoming the day with her year group at the ‘senior sunrise’, Sophie’s most treasured moments reflect the simplicity of human connection.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Pymble, and I’ll miss the community, incredible teachers and my peers a lot,” said Wang.
As one door closes on her time at the College, another door to the rest of her life has opened, and it seems the strong path Sophie has forged has only just begun.
From Kharkiv to Pymble: Kseniia’s Journey of Hope and Resilience
“Australia feels like the place where I can continue to grow, both personally and professionally, but I’ll always carry a piece of Ukraine with me wherever I go.”
It was the dead of night –4.00am to be exact – when air raid sirens began screaming out across Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, located only 30 kilometres from the Russian border, immediately jolting Kseniia Vereshchak and her family awake.
An invasion on her city by the Russian military was imminent; an invasion on the place Kseniia, her friends, family and approximately 1.2 million other Ukrainians called home.
Kseniia vividly recalls her mother, Alyona, rushing inside her bedroom within the family’s seventh-storey apartment and telling her to pack her bags.
“What’s happening? Am I going to school?” Kseniia asked her mum, still not registering exactly what was happening in her half-asleep state.
“No, you’re not going to school,” Alyona replied.
Kseniia and her family relocated to, and lived in, the basement of their apartment building for the next seven days, only leaving on the odd occasion to go to the local store.
The last, and probably darkest, memory Kseniia has of her hometown is carefully venturing outside of her apartment building to take a quick look at what was unfolding, when a bomb flew directly over her head.
That was the final straw. Kseniia, her parents and two younger brothers picked up her grandma in their car and travelled three days non-stop across Ukraine to flee the country.
Little did Kseniia know that the next time she would go to school, it would be 14,520 kilometres away on the other side of the world, in Sydney, Australia.
NEW BEGINNINGS
After a short stay in a small Romanian village, the Vereshchak family had their Temporary Humanitarian Concern visa applications approved by the Australian Government in less than 24 hours. Soon, they were on the move again, flying from Romania to Turkey, then from Turkey to Singapore, and finally from Singapore to Australia.
KHARKIV
KSENIIA VERESHCHAK
It was only then that Kseniia and her family could take a moment to breathe, reflect on the trauma they had endured and start planning for their uncertain future.
In what can now only be described as a sliding doors moment, Kseniia’s mum connected with a local woman with Ukrainian roots on Facebook, who said she had a daughter who was a similar age to Kseniia and suggested that the two should hang out.
“I didn’t have any friends at all back then, so we went on a walk and she was talking about her school non-stop,” Vereshchak said.
“She went to an all-girls’ school, which I found a bit weird since they aren’t a thing in Ukraine, and she was telling me all about how nice it was and all the fun activities they did.”
That school was Pymble, and just a few weeks later, after multiple interviews with Principal, Dr Kate Hadwen, Deputy Principal, Ms Lamia Rockwell and Head of Senior School, Mrs Nikki Wyse, Kseniia was accepted into the College.
FINDING HER FEET AS A PYMBLE GIRL
As is usually the case when someone comes to the College for the first time, Kseniia was blown away by what she saw.
“When I first walked through the gates at Pymble, my jaw dropped,” said Vereshchak.
“I’d never seen a school so big; I didn’t even know a school like this existed. And then I saw all the girls in their uniforms and thought to myself, ‘That’s going to be me.’”
Naturally, one of Kseniia’s biggest worries about starting at a new school was fitting in and making friends. This worry was amplified tenfold when, on her first day, she discovered that she’d be going on a three-day camp with her entire year group.
“The idea of spending so much time with complete strangers was intimidating,” Vereshchak said.
“However, that experience ended up being one of the best things that could have happened. The group of people I shared a room with during the camp ended up becoming my closest friends over the next two years.”
Despite never having heard of the subject when she first selected it, Kseniia says Design and Technology quickly became one of her favourites, mostly thanks to the time and effort her teacher, Mr Peter Ellis, invested in not only her learning and development, but also in getting to know her on a personal level.
“When I first came to his class, he asked me my name, and when I told him he said, ‘Wow, Kseniia, that’s an interesting name,’” said Vereshchak. His pronunciation left a lot to be desired.
The very next day, Mr. Ellis once again came up to Kseniia in class and told her, “I was Googling your name the whole night, and I finally know how to say it: it’s ‘Sen-ya!’”
“I was like, ‘Yes! Thank you!’ No one had ever done that for me,” Vereshchak said, her smile beaming from ear to ear.
A BRIGHT FUTURE AWAITS
Now having officially obtained her Higher School Certificate, and most recently finding out that she and her family had been offered a “resolution of status” visa offer – giving them the same rights and benefits as permanent residents – the next chapter of Kseniia’s life will be written by her, and her alone.
Amazingly, Kseniia said in an interview with the College in 2023 that she wanted to one day become a fighter pilot. This is something she’s still passionate about, but for now her plan is to study civil engineering at university in 2025.
“I believe civil engineering offers a balance of creativity and problem solving, which really appeals to me,” said Vereshchak.
“It feels like a great way to make a meaningful impact on the world around me, and I see it as the foundation for a fulfilling career.”
Kseniia still pinches herself about how her whole life has changed in the space of two short years, trading the “snowy slopes of Ukraine for the sandy shores of Australia,” and is still unsure of whether she’ll ever permanently return to the country she once called home.
“The friendships I’ve built, the connections I’ve made and the life my family has created in Australia over the past few years would be incredibly hard to leave behind,” Vershchak said.
“Australia feels like the place where I can continue to grow, both personally and professionally, but I’ll always carry a piece of Ukraine with me wherever I go.”
Beyond the Spotlight: Lisa’s Lifelong Love of Dance
LISA JI
Lisa Ji started dancing at the age of three in tiny tots, not long after learning to walk and talk, and before she even started kindergarten.
Today, fifteen years later, she leaves the College as one of the longest-serving members of Pymble Dance, an elegant and ethereal artist who left no stone unturned in her pursuit of perfecting her craft.
During her 11 years of dance at Pymble, Lisa partook in numerous RAD Ballet classes up to Advanced Foundation, took various general classes such as Jazz and Lyrical, and progressed through the Eistedfodd groups from Junior School, completing her journey in Jazz and Contemporary White.
Modestly, in testament to her character, Lisa credits her coaches and teachers for her development and their role in helping her achieve her goals.
“I wouldn’t have become the dancer I am without the support and guidance of my coaches, who have assisted me with their technical expertise and nurtured my confidence,” said Ji.
“I have built close relationships with all my teachers, especially this year through HSC Dance, which has enabled me to develop a deeper understanding of dance as an art form, where emotion, personality and passion assist in communicating a storyline without the need for words.”
One of Lisa’s most memorable moments at off the stage, was being part of the Mamma Mia!
“Throughout the countless rehearsals and hours that were put into this production, I was able to grow outside the box, as musical theatre was fairly new to me,” Ji said.
“It allowed me to perform with such high energy and vibrancy, whether in rehearsal or on stage, and it’s something I will never forget.”
However, it was a special moment after one of the performances that truly made the experience unforgettable.
“I remember leaving stage one night with the cast, and everyone had huge smiles on their faces after nailing a number which the audience loved,” said Ji.
“All the hard work we put into perfecting our choreography and vocals was completely worth it and taught me the significant impact our dedication and teamwork had.”
But with all the extravagance and polished performances the audience sees and enjoys, there’s another side to dance, beyond the spotlight, that deserves just as much appreciation.
“The audience doesn’t see the blood, sweat and tears that go into perfecting each routine,” Ji said.
required to learn a single routine – a scarce resource whilst juggling her leadership position as Lang House Prefect and participating in sports and other co-curricular activities, all while completing her Higher School Certificate.
“When mastering a dance routine, we often spend countless hours per week, as well as extra rehearsals on weekends and lunchtimes, polishing the performance for an audience,” said Ji.
But there’s zero doubt in her mind that, at the end of the day, it’s all worth it.
“ I am so grateful to have been in an environment where I had so much creative freedom and the resources available to me to allow me to perform at my best.”
“Although at times I’ve encountered doubt and exhaustion, there is always support from team members, and I eventually overcome it, resulting in a breakthrough moment which feels so uplifting and makes the hours of
Although rarely showing it, Lisa admits she often felt nervous before big performances. However, she believes it’s a natural part of being a dancer, as nerves are often sparked from a mixture of excitement, anticipation and uncertainty – feelings that frequently helped her perform better on stage.
“I often get butterflies in my stomach or sweaty palms, but I’ve learned those are signs that I care deeply about what I’m about to showcase for the audience,” Ji said.
“I’ve also learned that staying connected with my teammates before going on stage is incredibly important as it allows you to share each other’s energy and stay focused whilst also getting that adrenaline rush.”
Despite participating in numerous productions and performances over her 11 years at Pymble, her most meaningful one may have been her last.
For her HSC Dance major work, titled Dementia’s Hold, Lisa portrayed the
perspective of a daughter grieving the loss of her mother to dementia. Through her deliberate choices of music and props, she aimed to convey the turmoil and conflicts involved in accepting the loss of a loved one.
“I utilised the props of a bag, scarf and photo frame, which belonged to the mother, where I danced with each prop to convey the long processes of grief until, at the end, I packed up her things and left them on stage to evoke acceptance,” said Ji.
Lisa says dance has been an integral part of her life, helping her express herself, stay disciplined and explore the limits of creativity. No matter where the next stage of her life takes her, she knows dance will always remain a part of it.
“Dance will continue to play a central role in my personal growth, even during university, and I am ever so grateful that Pymble has gifted me with amazing classes and a variety of styles to immerse myself in,” Ji said.
“Everyone at the College has truly inspired me to grow into the young adult I am today, with their endless care and support, helping me through all the ups and downs.
“I will always take pride in being a Pymble girl.”
The Sky’s the Limit for Pitch-Perfect Amelie
If you haven’t had the pleasure of hearing Amelie Matthews’ voice on stage in Pymble’s Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts, you may have unknowingly already heard it from the comfort of your own lounge room.
At the beginning of 2023, as a freshfaced 15-year-old, Amelie made it into the top 50 of Australian Idol as the season’s youngest competitor, performing on national television in front of hundreds of thousands of people.
Auditioning in front of a judging panel consisting of American singer-
“Consistency is key, so keep honing your craft and allowing yourself to grow, because your ambition will guide you to reach your full potential.”
songwriter Meghan Trainor, Australian indie pop singer Amy Shark and radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands, Amelie blew them all away with a pitchperfect rendition of Billie Eilish’s idontwannabeyouanymore, earning herself a ‘golden ticket’ in the process.
But this wasn’t just an impromptu audition; it was a moment 12 years in the making.
“Music has always been an important part of my life,” said Matthews.
“Growing up, my mother and I would sing together all the time, and I developed a love for music and
a passion for singing. My family encouraged me to take up singing and dancing lessons, and so I began performing more frequently.”
Amelie’s stage debut came at the age of three, and since then she has asserted herself on the performing arts scene as a true triple threat, expanding her music repertoire and developing her vocal technique, dance styles and acting skills.
Since joining the College in Year 7 in 2019, Amelie has immersed herself in music and drama, joining the Pymble Chorale, becoming the lead vocalist in Stage Band and performing in
multiple productions, most recently as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family.
But Amelie’s talents are not confined to Pymble alone; last year she was cast in the world-famous musical Les Misérables in the ensemble and as Epinone’s understudy.
“Performing in Les Misérables was an unforgettable experience. As the understudy for Eponine and as a member of the ensemble, I was required to learn the two roles in their entirety,” Matthews said.
“This meant attending rigorous weekly late-night and weekend rehearsals for months leading up to the shows, which required adaptability, diligence and the ability to learn quickly.
“I had to maintain a firm schedule in my work-life balance to allow me to work hard in rehearsals whilst maintaining my top grades, which was only possible with the support of my family and the Pymble community.”
Having showcased her voice in both the high-profile competition Australian Idol and the classic musical Les Misérables – all before turning 18 – Amelie wants to keep her options open to avoid being pigeonholed in a single industry or genre.
“Having industry experience and being trained to be a versatile musician has given me the skills to be a strong performer in multiple genres,” said Matthews.
“I have a special place in my heart for jazz and musical theatre, and I will also continue to discover and expand my repertoire. I also look forward to recording my own music in the near future, and I’m excited to see where that takes me.”
As someone who’s spent nearly her entire life perfecting her craft, Amelie advises Pymble’s younger, budding singers, in which there are many, to “follow your passion with confidence” and “embrace opportunities with determination and resilience.”
“In this industry, setbacks are inevitable, but it’s how you respond to them that shapes you as an artist,” Matthews said.
“Consistency is key, so keep honing your craft and allowing yourself to grow, because your ambition will guide you to reach your full potential.”
For now, Amelie plans on refining her artistic identity whilst combining her creative endeavours with a formal education in science and law.
“In addition to performing and recording music, I will be applying my academic interests to contribute meaningfully to both the arts and society, as the high standard of education I’ve received at Pymble has given me the foundation to pursue both careers,” said Matthews.
And as I’m sure you’re all wondering: will Amelie ever audition for Australian Idol again to take care of unfinished business?
“Who knows,” said Matthews.
“Maybe in the future, I may decide to audition for another show again. For now, I plan to record and write music of my own and support my talented little sister in her future journey on Australian Idol.”
‘Blood, Sweat and Tears’: Mia Rows Her Way to Massachusetts
Just six years after she first tried rowing, Mia Booth will pack up her life and move abroad to the United States in 2025 after receiving a rowing scholarship at the University of Massachusetts.
When you hear about young athletes excelling in sport, the story usually begins with ‘love at first sight’. For Mia and rowing, however, it was the complete opposite. She hated it.
“I first started rowing in Year 7 and, to be quite honest, for the first few months I hated the sport,” said Booth.
“Learning all the basic movements seemed very tedious and it was extremely hard, however, the more I got into the sport, culture and team environment I began to love it more and more.”
The process of Mia’s university application happened in stages over the course of about one year, with each step, including multiple 4.30am Zoom calls, making her pinch herself knowing her dream was one step closer to becoming reality.
“After each call I would walk away beaming and shaking with excitement as I would go give my parents a debrief of the call,” said Booth.
The head coach of rowing at the University of Massachusetts ended up flying to Australia to watch Mia race at the New South Wales state regatta, and broke the news that he would be finalising an offer for her when he returned to the US after seeing with his own eyes what she was capable of.
and the deal was done.
“I remember going to Period 1 English that morning and browsing the merchandise store for the entire class because there was no way I was going to be able to focus on work,” said Booth.
While the application process was unproblematic, the six years of rowing that led up to it were anything but; Mia says her journey has ‘not been linear’, having faced a significant amount of health challenges which at times slowed her down and stopped her from training.
“Throughout my first season in the First VIII rowing crew I was facing significant lower back pain and would
Mia then had one final Zoom call where she was offered the scholarship,
MIA BOOTH
have to apply copious amounts of Voltaren gel just to get through the sessions,” Booth said.
“This made training excruciatingly painful and made rowing harder than it already is. But rowing is a team sport, and removing myself from the crew in the lead up to nationals would have disrupted the boat, so I pushed through.”
At the end of the season Mia got her back x-rayed, revealing a preexisting stress fracture which had become inflamed and needed urgent rehabilitation.
This injury was a big setback to Mia, but knowing that she could compete at a national level with a fractured lower back proved to her just how determined she is, something that has stuck with her ever since.
Next year Mia will be undertaking a food science degree – the molecular study of food and its nutritional functions in our lives – and, if the past six years are any indication, the intense training she’ll undertake in the US will greatly enhance her studies.
“Funnily enough, at school there was a big difference in my grades during rowing season and off season,” said Booth.
“During the season, with the early morning starts and late finishes, I had maybe an hour or so to do all my
homework and assignments before I needed to be in bed, but my grades were significantly better during this time.
“This was because the rowing schedule forced me to become an expert at time management in order to stay on top of all my work and made me more efficient.”
Despite all of Mia’s success and how far she’s come, it’s the lessons she learned during hardship that will stand her in good stead when challenges arise in the coming years.
“Rowing is the definition of blood, sweat and tears and through this I learned how persistence, resilience and hard work always pay off, and I will definitely take this with me,” said Booth.
“I also learned a lot about myself. Until I started rowing, I never considered myself a competitive person, however, as soon as I get in that boat, my mentality shifts and I want to beat every single person on the course.”
Mia says that through the next steps of moving to a new country, meeting new people and learning new things, she wants to be as open to new opportunities as possible.
And while she doesn’t have a set path for her career, she sees rowing remaining an integral part of her life in the years to come. She’s also not going to forget the people who helped her along the way.
“The ability to get to know my teachers, who they are and what they have done, during the last two years of school was definitely a highlight,” Booth said.
“They are all such inspiring, kind and thoughtful people who have had so many different experiences that have helped get me to where I am today.”
Pymble’s ARTEXPRESS Stars Shine Bright Through Shadows and Sandstone
YOUNG CHO AND PAIGE GRAM
Visual Arts at Pymble continues to go from strength to strength, this year receiving a record 24 nominations for ARTEXPRESS –the prestigious showcase of HSC major works –bettering last year’s tally of 18.
While every student’s major work was absolutely breathtaking, all of which were proudly displayed at the 2024 HSC Visual Arts Showcase earlier this year, this article will focus solely on two students: Young Cho and Paige Gram.
So, what makes these two young artists and their major works so special? Let’s dive in.
YOUNG CHO:
FINDING MEANING IN MEMORY Young Cho received a near-perfect ATAR of 99.85 and placed first in the state in Visual Arts in the 2024 HSCand when you see her major work, it’s easy to see why.
Titled Tension between Memory, Young’s work takes us on an
introspective journey, her idea stemming from her grandparents’ house in South Korea that had recently been demolished to construct an apartment complex.
“Inspired by the conflict between joyful memories of the house and my grief over the loss of my family home, I centred my work conceptually around the duality of life’s experiences,” said Cho.
“I wanted to capture that bittersweet feeling. The house was gone, but the memories weren’t. That tension really became the heart of my work.”
Young’s major work began with a series of conceptual brainstorms, followed by experimentation with different mediums.
Initially producing works with both watercolour and charcoal, she decided to transition to purely charcoal before also adding graphite into the mix, inspired by the works of Australian artist Kirrily Humphries.
“Influenced by Humphries’ concern with the anonymous yet synonymous nature of uninhabited domestic spaces, I took photographs of windows and building interiors from around my neighbourhood and my family’s hometown in South Korea,” said Cho.
These photos became the foundation for her hauntingly beautiful charcoal and graphite pieces, where light and shadows create a feeling both presence and emptiness.
PAIGE GRAM: STORIES OF SANDSTONE
Paige Gram’s major work, titled Pillar of Light, is a stunning series of abstract paintings that turns architecture into art.
Inspired by her great-great-grandfather, Thomas Rowe – one of Australia’s most celebrated architects who designed The Great Synagogue, Sydney Eye Hospital, Newington College and much more – Paige’s major work is a nod to his commitment to the gothic sandstone design style of the 1800s.
“From the start, I knew I wanted to embed my family’s history into my artwork,” said Gram.
“I started photographing Rowe’s buildings around Sydney, paying special attention to the subtle changes in the limestone’s colour over time.
“The more I explored these textures and colours, the more the artwork began to take shape on its own, leading me to a final body of work that blends architectural history with abstract artistic expression.”
Paige played to her artistic strengths, using bold colours and tones to highlight the mix of light and shadows. She even incorporated elements of her great-great-grandfather’s original blueprints to honour his legacy, digitally blending them into her painted surfaces.
All of this combined resulted in a mesmerising blend of old and new, all tied together with Paige’s signature style.
Both Young and Paige agree that their time at Pymble was pivotal in shaping their artistic journeys. For Young, it was about collaboration and using art as a way to connect with others while exploring her own perspective.
“Studying
art at Pymble has shown me the value of creativity as a powerful tool to express yourself and your view of the world, and to enact change on a profound, societal level,” said Cho.
For Paige, Visual Arts helped her find her voice and learn how to tell her story.
“What I’ve come to understand is that art isn’t just about creating something visually pleasing or impactful for others; it’s about expressing your own voice –your thoughts, your feelings and your unique view of the world,” said Gram.
Next year, Paige has her sights set on studying cinematography and filmmaking, combining her love of visual storytelling with her talent for creating beautiful imagery.
Young, on the other hand, is hoping to start her pathway towards a career in health, inspired by a desire to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
But whatever paths they take, one thing’s for sure: these two young women are just getting started.
CHARLOTTE WYKES
The Idea That Made Pymble’s Pulse Beat Strong in 2024
As proof that a single small idea can spark significant change, Charlotte Wykes ensured the heartbeat of the Pymble community remained steadfast throughout the year with her ideation of the 2024 College theme, Pymble Pulse.
Pymble Pulse was based on the notion that every action you take stimulates a reaction in the people around you, much like the way every beat of your heart stimulates blood to pulse through your body.
The idea came to life when Charlotte witnessed the attitude and camaraderie of her brothers and their friends at their school.
“I wanted to create an environment and culture which fostered engagement and pride amongst the girls,” said Wykes.
Charlotte saw how such a culture could increase a sense of belonging, build individual confidence and amplify school pride.
And with the enthusiastic backing of Dr Hadwen, Pymble Pulse was officially launched in January 2024.
The theme quickly gained momentum, uniting students and staff alike, and was a powerful launchpad to what ended up being a year of strength and support at the College.
“The impact I’ve seen through the school this year has been extremely positive. It has been absolutely amazing to see everyone get behind it with enthusiasm and spirit,” said Wykes.
It should come as no surprise that Charlotte also served as Pymble’s Community Prefect in 2024 – a role that perfectly aligned with Pymble Pulse.
As Community Prefect, she collaborated with other executive prefects to implement meaningful initiatives across the College, always prioritising the goal of fostering a supportive and inclusive community in every decision they made.
Charlotte’s passions, however, extend beyond leadership and service; as a talented musician, she has served as the First Chair Viola in the Chamber Strings, String Orchestra and String Quartet. Her love for music also saw her participate in many College musicals.
Another of Charlotte’s talents is sailing, a sport she has been doing out of her club in Northbridge and Pittwater since Year 5, as well as at the College where she has competed at both state and national levels.
“Sailing has been a phenomenal outlet for me. I love being on the water, and some of my best friends have come from the Pymble Sailing program,” Wykes said.
Charlotte also achieved her bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards, naming the ten-day hike in Namadgi National Park she did in Year 10 as a particularly memorable experience.
“It physically and mentally challenged our team, but was definitely a highlight,” Wykes said.
As she leaves the College and prepares to move on to the next stage of her life, Charlotte is thankful for all Pymble gave her. She isn’t yet certain as to which path she wants to take but sees herself working in the fields of justice and equality.
“I am extremely grateful and understand the privilege of being a Pymble girl,” said Wykes.
“The opportunities I have been given, the mentoring from older girls, the support of the amazing teachers and staff, as well as the friends that I have made, are the best things about being a Pymble girl.”
Life Lessons from Pymble: A Student Reflection
The first time I stepped foot in the College, like all Year 7 students, I was greeted by curiosity and excitement. I was nervous about meeting new people, but something about Pymble excited me - the endless opportunities to explore my interests. In my earlier high school years, I learnt to adapt to challenges and challenge myself in what I enjoyed doing. But there was also something I feared: the idea of leadership.
I never considered myself a leader, but something inside me always told myself to stand up for myself and the people I love.
Being a Pymble girl has been a journey of self-discovery and growth, shaped by the College’s core values of care, courage, integrity, respect and responsibility. And Pymble taught me exactly this – to be adventurous, seek opportunities and when there isn’t an opportunity, create one yourself.
I remember the daunting feeling when I first started Pymble Girl Up, a student-led committee dedicated to advocating for gender equality and the development of female leadership. I always wanted to change the lives of others and inspire other girls to do the same. But the process wasn’t exactly smooth. I was never thought as a leader in Year 10, and because of this, I was doubting myself for the values that I upheld.
The endless emails and the long, enduring planning process of simply starting an initiative was pushing me to the point of giving up. But looking back, it taught me so much. Pymble has helped me so much to become the person I am today, a young woman who is confident to embrace future challenges and inspire others to do the same.
LEADERSHIP AND DETERMINATION
Serving as the Academic Learning Prefect and my pursuit of the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award taught me valuable lessons in leadership and perseverance. As Academic Learning Prefect, I collaborated with students, teachers and alumni to improve academic engagement through initiatives such as the Empower Lunches and the homework help Padlet and represented student voice in decisions impacting our learning experiences.
Leading the Pymble Girl Up club taught me that female empowerment is about providing a platform for voices that are often not heard. I organised events and discussions, including TEDx-style talks (PymbleX) and two interschool female empowerment conferences with over 150 students from 20 different schools across Sydney to foster dialogue on gender equality within our community.
We also raised over $500 for UNICEF and the Barbara May Foundation. Through these initiatives, I realised that leadership is not just about individual success but also about giving power to those less powerful than you so that we can uplift and inspire the younger students to challenge gender stereotypes and speak up about the issues they care about.
As part of my journey of advocating for women’s rights, I also had the opportunity to serve as a member of the NSW Youth Parliament in 2022 and 2023 outside of school, representing my electorate of Ryde as members of Education and Business and Employment. In these roles, I gained firsthand experience in debating critical issues with youth representatives across the state, presenting solutions to parliamentarians and learning the power of collaboration in addressing social issues.
YUKI WANG
MY PASSION FOR RESEARCH
My research journey has been transformative and helped me discover my passion for investigating complex issues. As a student ambassador of the Pymble Institute, I presented original research on the economic impact of COVID-19 vaccine companies at the 2023 Student Research Conference. I also mentored students in the Sokratis research program and helped coordinate the annual conference in 2024, which connected me with other researchers who guided me in the critical steps of research.
Beyond school, I was selected as a scholar at Pioneer Academics, joining a community of high-achieving students globally with a 10 per cent acceptance rate. I collaborated with professors from US colleges to conduct research on diabetes. I explored the intersection of healthcare and social justice with medical technologies and the implications of diseases in individuals’ lives. Writing a peer-reviewed paper that is also presented internationally gave me invaluable insights into the process of academic research.
LESSONS LEARNED AT PYMBLE
Reflecting on my years at Pymble, I see that each year taught me unique lessons:
Year 7: Be curious. Embrace new friendships, explore everything Pymble has to offer and step outside your comfort zone.
Year 8: Be patient and adaptable. Start forming habits that nurture your interests and give yourself space to try new things.
Year 9: Be courageous and adventurous. Don’t aim for perfection - embrace your growth and remember that every change is part of who you’re becoming.
Year 10: Be responsible and empathetic. Take on challenges with an open heart and help those around you. Appreciate every challenge and learn from your mistakes.
Year 11: Be determined. Balance studies and self-care while remaining open to academic and personal growth.
Year 12: Be grateful with excitement and uncertainty. Embrace the mix of excitement and uncertainty and stay true to yourself. Recognise that success is more than just your academics - it’s about becoming the best version of yourself and preparing for your future.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
I plan to pursue a career that allows me to apply these values and skills. In ten years, I hope to be part of a field where my work contributes to positive change. Although I am not quite sure about the degree I wish to pursue, I am mainly interested in mathematics, data science and biomedical engineering, but also driving meaningful social change such as being involved with politics. My longterm goal is to one day own my own business and becoming a global leader in advocating for gender equality.
FINAL REFLECTIONS
Pymble has been more than just a school; it’s been a community where I’ve met inspiring friends, teachers and mentors. The feelings of nervousness, love, excitement and so much more can’t sum up the six years I’ve been in this wonderful community.
But really, everything comes down to gratefulness. I am beyond grateful for such an amazing year group where everyone shone their light and were passionate about what they love. Together, we’ve supported each other through challenges and celebrated every milestone. Graduation isn’t an ending –it’s the beginning of new journeys. So, to my peers and future Pymble girls: carry the lessons you’ve learned here with you, stay true to yourself and pursue your dreams with kindness and resilience. The path to success is wide and filled with possibilities.
I want to thank Dr Hadwen for her dedication, leadership and service to the College. Thank you to my wonderful mentor, Dr Loch, for giving me remarkable guidance throughout my senior years. Thank you to my Compass teacher, Ms Blake, for always checking in with us every day. Thank you to my teachers – Ms Grace, Ms Lau, Ms Kennedy and Mr Stafford – for the passion, commitment and patience you bring to the classrooms. Thank you to all the Senior School team – Mrs Wyse, Ms Gallardo, Mrs Michie and Mr Stern – for your dedication and commitment to ensure the Kate Mason Building is a welcoming and safe space for all.
But most importantly, thank you to all my friends who have been so supportive and encouraged me to become the best version of myself. My experience at Pymble wouldn’t have been like this without all your tremendous support.
HSC Showcases and Exhibitions
In 2024, Pymble’s arts and technology students have been nominated for a record number of HSC showcases and exhibitions.
The following students are to be congratulated for their success.
ARTEXPRESS
ARTEXPRESS is an annual series of exhibitions of exemplary artworks created by HSC visual arts students.
NOMINATED
• Taem Al-Witri I Evanescence
• Hwayoung (Young) Cho I Tension between Memory
• Tiffany Choi I Portraits in Progress (The Real and the Represented)
• Charlotte Dhanu I Phoenix Rising
• Vivian Dong I Consumed and Contained
• Elena Duta I Nature’s Threats
• Paige Gram I Pillar of Light: foundations for a city
• Xinran Huang I House of Cards
• Alexandra Hyett I Matrix of Nature
• Si Ting Ji I Tan Hua Yi Xian (Fleeting beauty)
• Eliza Kennedy I Present and Presence
• Amanda Li I Vitality
• Si Yuan Liu I Preserving Memories
• Sophia Lynch I Behind the Fold: Family Impressions
• Georgia Mandalakoudis I Cataclysm and Virtue
• Lucy Pennington I Fading Canopy: The Elegy of Trees
• Stephanie So I Ingress
• Sophie Toma I Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction
• Shruti Vivek I Revere
• Anna Ward I Steeped in Memory
• Trinity Watkins I To My Darling Wife: Love Letters from Tiger
• Han Le Wong I Hanging by a thread
• Sivani Yellamaraju I Embedded: Bangaram (Golden Egg)
• Shilei Zhu I Whispers of a Chrysalis: to be or not to be
SELECTED
• Hwayoung (Young) Cho
• Tiffany Choi
• Xinran Huang
• Sophie Toma
CALLBACK
CALLBACK is a celebration of the outstanding talent of our HSC Dance students.
NOMINATED
Core Performance, Major Study Performance and Core Composition
• Georgia Shaw
• Jessica Slater
Core Performance and Major Study Performance
• Georgia Dixon
• Ashleigh Henderson
• Lisa Ji
• Stephanie Lee
• Stephanie So
• Gigi Spiller
• Claire Spring
• Demitria Volos
SELECTED
• Georgia Shaw - Core Composition
ENCORE
ENCORE is a showcase of performances and compositions by HSC music students.
NOMINATED
• Airiana Chan
• Lux Fritz
• Grace Ho
• Si Ting (Sophia) Ji
• Genevieve Jones
• Kai Xuan Li
• Amelie Matthews
• Yueqin (Yuki) Wang
OnSTAGE
OnSTAGE is an event showcase featuring the works of exemplary performances and project work by HSC drama students.
INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE NOMINATIONS
• Imogen Hawkins I A woman alone
• Lily Hearne I Tonya
• Aashna Rana I Prima Facie
• Grace Scott I Accidental Death of a Performance Anarchist
• Gigi Spiller I Mrs Smith
• Sophia Thurkettle I Gloria
• Estelle Vander I Exit the Queen
• Demitria Volos I The Hypochondriac
GROUP PERFORMANCE NOMINATIONS
Removalads
• Chiara Calvani
• Elizabeth Graves
• Shanya Parti
• Gigi Spiller
• Demitria Volos
Democracy sausage
• Imogen Hawkins
• Lydia Heazlewood-Lee
• Ashley Park
• Grace Scott
• Bella Walker
Infinity playhouse
• Lily Hearne
• Aashna Rana
• Ava Thomas
• Sophia Thurkettle
• Estelle Vander
HSC Shape
An exhibition featuring a selection of students’ exemplary HSC major projects from Design and Technology, Industrial Technology and Textiles and Design.
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY NOMINATED
• Lara Groves-Berry
• Alessandra Braysich
• Victoria Burton
• Isabella Li
• Jennifer Makeham
• Georgia Phillips
• Sabrina Rolinek
TEXTILES AND DESIGN SELECTED
• Brielle Mann
TEXTILES AND DESIGN NOMINATED
• Emma Eaton
• Jameson Heyman
• Sophie Ma
• Brielle Mann
• Meredith Reynolds
• Arabella Smithyman
• Ava Thomas
• Sivi Thomas
YOUNG WRITERS SHOWCASE
The Young Writers Showcase presents a selection of outstanding major works by HSC English Extension 2 students in NSW across a range of literary genres including creative fiction, poetry, essay, podcast and more.
