It was a great joy indeed to see our students harness their creativity, along with their sense of purpose and passion, to be of service to those experiencing hardship and challenge in our community.
At the beginning of each school year, the College sets an overarching theme to challenge students’ thinking and inspire a constructive approach to the year ahead. This theme runs alongside and complements our core values of Care, Courage, Integrity, Respect and Responsibility. In 2022, ‘Let’s Get Creative’ encouraged students to think outside the box to disrupt unhelpful habits, make new ones and, ultimately, feel and function better.
Our Year 12 cohort rose magnificently to the challenge of creating the best versions of themselves in their final year of school. We are incredibly proud of the outstanding results they have achieved across a diverse range of academic and co-curricular passions. Congratulations girls, you have worked so hard to set yourselves up for the next exciting chapter of your story.
While ATARs, marks and rankings are important and deserve to be celebrated, we know the value of a Pymble education can’t be measured by numbers alone. An equally important aspect of our ‘Let’s Get Creative’ theme in 2022 was the intentional pursuit of positivity, hope and joy. It was a great joy indeed to see our students harness their creativity, along with their sense of purpose and passion, to be of service to those experiencing hardship and challenge in our community.
Our Class of 2022 organised and hosted a range of community events, including the Afghan Cultural Festival and friendly football match to support newly arrived refugees, a Costumes for Cancer fundraiser for a life-saving cancer research centre, our whole-school Colour Run and RUOK? Day festivities promoting conversations about mental health, and bake sales to raise funds for Sony Camp for children with special needs and flood recovery in regional areas of Australia. In addition, some of our students worked in partnership with a University of Sydney professor to develop a K-12 curriculum promoting cultural diversity – an outcome that truly means the world to us.
Thank you, Year 12, for your contribution to Pymble and your commitment to being compassionate young people who create opportunities to lift up others around you. When I look back on all the ways you have supported each other and our wider community during your time at Pymble, I see so much more than your marks. I see you making a mark on the world.
Dr Kate Hadwen PRINCIPAL
Rigorous study patterns, a focus on progress through a growth mindset and determination have enabled our students to achieve or exceed their personal goals this year. These wonderful results are also a testament to the high impact teaching practices used by our outstanding professional staff in the classroom as they support every student to triumph in various ways that may not involve a number.
239 students from Pymble Ladies’ College sat for the NSW Higher School Certificate in 51 courses. 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 high. On average, 74 per cent of Pymble candidates across all 2 Unit courses offered at the College achieved results in Band 5 and 6, compared with 47 per cent of students across the state in the same subjects.
An incredible 75 per cent of our students had at least one Band 6 result (above 90) placing them on the Distinguished Achievers list and 28 students were named as All Rounders with Band 6 or E4 in 10 or more units.
High performing subjects this year with 100 per cent of students in Band 5 and 6 (above 80) for 2-unit subjects and E3 and E4 for extension subjects were Chinese Continuers, Dance, Drama, Music 1, Music 2, Visual Arts, French Extension, History Extension, Latin Extension, Science Extension, Chinese Extension, Classical Greek Extension, English Extension 2, Japanese Extension and Music Extension.
As well as those listed above, Pymble leapt above and beyond in the following subjects in which the combined Band 5/6 results were 30 per cent or more above the State percentages (Subjects with an * also had 3 times the state average of Band 6 students):
Agriculture*, Ancient History*, Biology, Business Studies*, Design and Technology, Economics, English EAL/D, Food Technology*, Geography, Hospitality*, Investigating Science*, Italian Beginners, Legal Studies*, Mathematics Advanced, Mathematics Standard*, Modern History*, Physics and Studies of Religion 1.
Notable improvements were seen in English Advanced, Economics, Drama, Hospitality, Mathematics Advanced, Mathematics Standard, Music 1 and Visual Arts. Record numbers of students were nominated for HSC Showcases in Dance, Drama, Music, Design and Technology, Textiles and Design and Visual Arts. It takes enormous commitment and courage to complete and display a major work, and we are very excited that Pymble has students selected to have their major work performed or exhibited at ARTEXPRESS, OnSTAGE (Drama), Callback (Dance) and ENCORE (Music).
172 students received a total of 428 early entry university offers before the HSC results were released and many more, including scholarship offers, have come through since, providing students with vast options for next year both nationally and internationally.
We hope that the Class of 2022 will continue their love of learning and stretch themselves to take on new and exciting challenges in the future.
11-12)
Mrs Natasha Stanfield DIRECTOR OF STUDENT LEARNING (YEARSOur Year 12 students have lived through some uniquely challenging times during their school years and have finished their final year in fine style – working to achieve their own personal best and serve their community. Together as a year group, leaders of the College and strong supporters of one another, each student has made distinct contributions across a diverse range of curricular and co-curricular pursuits. In addition to this, they have brought their own source of wisdom, care and friendship to their year, enhancing and enriching the tapestry of our community. Referencing the quotation from Naval Ravikant, achievement is highly personal and looks different for all of us, and I would like to honour and acknowledge all who worked on building their own learning, interests and skills throughout their school lives, producing wonderful results. Graduating from school is marked by effort and determination, and it is my sincere hope that all our students are immensely proud of themselves, as are their teachers and friends.
I would also like to thank the parents of our graduating Year 12s – your advice, steadiness and encouragement enabled the girls to persevere when times were tough and shine their brightest throughout. Many of you have risen early to get to training sessions and stayed up late to watch performances, and your commitment to your daughter’s education is acknowledged. Thank you also for your loyalty to and support of the College. This has been very much appreciated.
Reflecting on the graduating class of 2022, I am comforted and confident they will continue to embrace challenges, value beauty and kindness and seek answers to tough questions as they move into their next stage
of life. The hallmarks of this year group are their personal strength and empathy for others, their inherent desire to grow and learn across many domains and their compassionate and thoughtful leadership. I congratulate every student on their achievements and thank them most sincerely for the unique gifts that have been so generously shared with the Pymble community. Like all your teachers, I look forward to hearing stories about the next set of adventures that you embark upon and hope you remember that you are always a Pymble girl!
Mrs Nikki Wyse HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL
Sing the song that only you can sing, write the book that only you can write, build the product that only you can build… live the life that only you can live.Naval Ravikant
Graduating from school is marked by effort and determination, and it is my sincere hope that all our students are immensely proud of themselves, as are their teachers and friends.
Following the release of the HSC results, 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 Chloe Hoang named Dux of the Class of 2022. Congratulations to all!
Linda Wu, Tessa Webster, Lilian Huntley and Ami Naito
Senuli Edirisinghe (Yr11) presenting a rose to Matilda Geddes
Dove Ceremony
Dr Kate Hadwen (Principal), Dux Chloe Hoang and Mr James Hunter (Chair of Board)
Pymble Ladies’ College Class of 2022
Pymble Ladies’ College performed exceptionally across First in State, All-round Achievers and Distinguished Achievers, with 235 individual mentions across the three categories.
28 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:
• Annabelle Ainsworth
• Lauren Barnes
• Louise Bennett
• Antoinette Boxall
• Nina Breckenridge
• Faye Chang
• Isabel Dean
• Emma Duggan
• Chun Wai (Kirsten) Fong
• Sophia Gao
• Ella Gibietis
• Isobel Gosper
• Amali Hilton
• Chloe Hoang
• Annabelle Jones
• Caitlyn Kim
• Emma Liu
• Bella Macdonald
• Annabel Maple-Brown
• Rylee McKinstry
• Roshan Neekan
• Angelica Tan
• Anna Wang
• Qiao (Joy) Wang
• Christina Wu
• Alicia Xiao
• Elisa Yang
• Xin (Jasmine) Zhi
The following students earned a place in the Top Achievers in Course list across a variety of courses:
Chloe Hoang
1st in English Advanced Emma Duggan
1st in Italian Beginners
Louise Bennett
2nd in Italian Beginners
Xin (Jasmine) Zhi
2nd in English Advanced Hong Trang (Rosie) Le 2nd in Chinese Continuers
Isabel Dean
3rd in Music Extension
4th in Music 2 Madison Lyster
5th in Investigating Science
Chun Wai (Kirsten) Fong
12th in English Advanced Zoey Chen*
5th in Chinese in Context
* Studied at Secondary College of Languages
The highest reported ATAR was 99.95 achieved by Chloe Hoang. Other outstanding ATARs were: The
• Caitlyn Kim - 99.90
• Jasmine Zhi - 99.90 • Isabel Dean - 99.85 • Faye Chang - 99.60
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.
Having achieved a perfect ATAR of 99.95, placed first in the state in English Advanced and won Dux of her year, Chloe Hoang reveals her recipe for success to attaining academic excellence.
After winning Dux of her year, it’s fair to say Chloe Hoang is an avid learner. The most important lessons she learnt at Pymble, however, weren’t found in textbooks – they were about how to be a strong leader and the best strategies to set herself up for academic success.
Academic success, however, can mean different things to different people. For Chloe, it meant striving for perfection. She adopted this mindset long ago and was rewarded for her monumental efforts when it was announced that, out of 75,000 students, Chloe came first in the state in English Advanced and finished the Higher School Certificate with a perfect ATAR of 99.95, only one of 48 awarded in New South Wales.
Chloe started at the College in Year 7 in 2017 and says that being a Pymble girl means joining a family. While Pymble girls will inevitably go on to innovate and succeed in a plethora of different industries and professions, she says it is only with the help of the guiding values, strong foundations and ongoing support they receive from this family that enable them to do so.
“Pymble fosters a culture of taking charge of every opportunity possible, being accountable for the impacts of one’s actions and empathising with the perspectives of others, which I believe shapes all students,” Hoang said.
Presenting for the Higher School Certificate in English Advanced, Chemistry, Latin Continuers, Latin Extension, Mathematics Advanced, Mathematics Extension 1 and Mathematics Extension 2, Chloe would’ve been forgiven if she chose to place her entire focus solely on her studies.
But she wanted more. Chloe also made strong contributions to the cultural life of the College through her involvement in co-curricular music and at the start of 2022 accepted the role of Head Prefect alongside close friend Isabel Dean.
When speaking about her experiences during her time as Head Prefect, Chloe says that working with such a large team of students and teachers was both the most enjoyable and most challenging part of the role.
“With so many diverse perspectives, it was tough to balance competing interests and compromise. However, with every obstacle, I was also amazed at the different creative solutions we came up with by combining everyone’s unique ideas,” Hoang said.
Chloe says she always loved being in team environments, but it wasn’t until she accepted the role of Head Prefect that she realised the importance of collaboration to drive a team’s success and that true leadership is most effective when it is ever-changing and improving, adapting to your own limitations and strengths alongside those around you.
“Especially at such a large school like Pymble, I don’t think it’s possible for leadership to ever exist in one person; it relies on sharing ideas and responsibilities and drawing upon the strengths of everyone to build an effective team.
“I was so fortunate to be supported by the amazing prefect body and in particular my co-Head Prefect, Isabel Dean, as we dealt with challenges together, helping each other improve and leaning on one another to overcome the inevitable obstacles we faced,” Hoang said.
One of the obstacles Chloe faced was juggling the responsibilities of leading her school and contributing to the College’s music programs while also striving for excellence in her academic subjects. Chloe credits her ability to manage such a heavy workload to maintaining a healthy school-life balance but says it’s not something that can be learnt overnight.
“It takes time to get used to juggling a variety of responsibilities. I have always been interested in many extracurricular activities but getting involved in so many from the get-go made the transition into Senior School easier, even when the workload increased.
“For me, it was important to recognise how these activities and other engagements enriched my studying.
One of the great benefits of Pymble, according to Chloe, is that the College encourages students to take charge of their own learning, and that the education on offer is catered to every student with so many diverse opportunities for everyone to find their place.
I personally found they helped with my time management and efficiency, making the time I did spend studying higher in quality and ensuring I had adequate time in the week to look forward to a break from academic work,” Hoang said.
Like her leadership, Chloe says the biggest tool she relied on across her academic journey was working together and getting help from others to increase her own knowledge.
“Sharing notes, helping and getting help from others improved my learning significantly as I not only drew upon the knowledge of those around me, but also tested and enriched my own understanding of content by explaining it to my peers.
“This sense of camaraderie across the year group also made exams a lot easier to cope with as we supported one another,” Hoang said.
On a more practical level, her studying mainly consisted of past papers to prepare her for what she was likely to see in an exam, as well as taking notes on topics she struggled with in the past.
“For my senior years, I kept a little notebook with every question I found difficult or got wrong over the year, and this would be the last thing I revised before each exam.
“I also liked to change up my studying environment frequently – studying at school, at the local library, in my attic and on the couch – switching it up whenever I felt unmotivated to try and make studying feel a little more exciting,” Hoang said.
Throughout her time at the College, Chloe participated in a range of activities that broadened her interests and passions, however she has her mind set on only one field next year when she starts university.
“Moving forward, I would love to be involved in medicine as it intersects
so many different fields; from patient interactions and teaching opportunities to research and public policy. I hope to explore the flexibilities this complex field offers in the future, applying and deepening the various skills I have been able to develop at Pymble,” Hoang said.
One of the great benefits of Pymble, according to Chloe, is that the College encourages students to take charge of their own learning, and that the education on offer is catered to every student with many diverse opportunities for everyone to find their place.
“Regardless of your interests and capabilities, the College supports a sense of initiative and leadership among students to help everyone make the most of their time at Pymble. Most of all, the culture allows every student to feel supported when stepping out of their comfort zones,” Hoang said.
Despite her academic prowess and the countless hours she put in to achieve such outstanding academic results, Chloe unselfishly says that none of it would be possible without the strong support network surrounding her.
“Looking back, I realise that I have been able to learn and grow without fearing failure, because I knew that my Pymble family would, and will, always be there for me.”
A student of the College from her very first day of kindergarten all the way to earning the role of Head Prefect in Year 12, Isabel Dean shares her thoughts on leadership and making the most of every opportunity.
ISABEL DEANFor Isabel Dean, being a Pymble girl meant giving her all in everything she did, epitomising the College motto of All’ Ultimo Lavoro – ‘strive for the highest’.
Whether she was participating in sports such as tennis and swimming, on stage for dance and music performances or working hard in the classroom, Isabel was encouraged by both her parents and teachers to try everything she could, see if she enjoyed it and not leave any stone unturned in terms of effort.
Since starting at Pymble in Kindergarten in 2010, Isabel says that her willingness to get involved in as many aspects of school life as possible has helped shape her into the young woman she is today.
“These experiences have helped shape me into someone who is always ready to learn and figure things out, even if that means a lot of problem-solving along the way,” Dean said.
“The Pymble community makes everything fun, and I have learnt so much from being a part of so many groups.”
Aside from her many academic and co-curricular achievements, in her final year of school Isabel also accepted the role of Head Prefect alongside close friend Chloe Hoang.
“Being one of the Head Prefects taught me so much, and I’m extremely grateful that I got the opportunity to take on the role,” Dean said.
Isabel’s favourite part of being Head Prefect was being able to meet and connect with people from areas of the school she didn’t know existed and other like-minded young leaders, opening her up to a world beyond what she had ever experienced.
The role was not without its challenges, however, with Isabel saying that adapting to different situations and unfamiliar demands of her time was a big learning curve throughout the year.
“One of the biggest challenges of the role was probably the fast-paced and ever-changing nature of the initiatives I had to undertake,” Dean explained.
“Especially at Pymble where there are a lot of different moving parts, you have to expect the unexpected and adapt to situations that often feel out of your control.”
To fulfil her leadership duties and participate in multiple co-curricular activities all while maintaining academic excellence, it was important for Isabel to foster a healthy schoollife balance. However, the advice she gives to best achieve this balance is not to shy away from opportunities but embrace them.
“I don’t think girls should shy away from participating in lots of cocurricular commitments. It may seem busy, but those interactions with a diverse range of students are so valuable,” Dean said.
Isabel decided to cut down on the wide range of dancing she once enjoyed to focus her efforts solely on contemporary dance while working towards her number one goal of achieving the best possible result in the Higher School Certificate. This decision clearly paid dividends: Isabel achieved a spectacular, well-deserved ATAR of 99.85.
“I was so shocked when I saw my ATAR, I really wasn’t expecting to achieve such a great result. I also felt a little weird that my exams, and all my school years, were officially finally over,” Dean said.
With her school years behind her and the world at her feet, Isabel is still open-minded regarding her plans for 2023, however has received offers from the University of Sydney and University of New South Wales, in addition to securing a place at the Royal College of Music in London for violin and viola.
“I’m still not entirely sure what I want to pursue as I have a lot of different options ahead of me,” Dean said. “I’m interested in the world of commerce
and finance which I might follow by doing the UNSW Co-op Program in Finance and Commerce, but I also want to maintain my creative side.”
“I also found out that I got accepted into the Royal College of Music in London which would give me the opportunity to travel overseas and explore something new.”
When asked to name her favourite highlight over her 13 years at Pymble, Isabel says there are too many to count. She did, however, proceed to name a few memorable ones.
“I’ve been so lucky within my Pymble journey to have experienced some
of the coolest events, projects and initiatives,” Dean said.
“Whether that was in Kindergarten when I was a part of the Nothing Like a Dame production or in 2016 when I had the opportunity to perform in the centenary musical, as well as at the Opera House for our 100-year celebration.
“I’ve also been lucky enough to attend many conferences and International Women’s Day festivals and listen to renowned speakers from diverse subject areas.”
Isabel was at the College from her very first day of school up until her
last and, through her participation in co-curricular activities, efforts in academics and willingness to lead even when no one was watching, exemplifies what it truly means to be a Pymble girl.
We asked Isabel what she would say to prospective parents considering sending their daughter to Pymble. She did not hesitate to give a glowing reference.
“I would tell prospective parents that Pymble provides so many opportunities for students to flourish and thrive, not only within the community but well beyond,” Dean said.
As you get busier, however, Isabel concedes that it’s important to cut down your workload and be realistic about what you can commit to.
Olivia Inkster has achieved more athletic success at the age of seventeen than some athletes do in their entire career. With Year 12 now behind her and the world at her feet, Inkster reveals how she balanced her time on the track with the pressures of the HSC and gives advice to upand-coming athletes wanting to chase their dreams.
Olivia Inkster still pinches herself about how much she has already achieved in her athletics career. Still a few months short of her eighteenth birthday, Olivia has risen through the ranks with gusto and has no intention of slowing down any time soon.
Growing up, Olivia was always an active kid, and tried her hand at a wide range of sports to see what she enjoyed most. However, if it wasn’t
for a sliding doors moment when she was younger, Olivia may never have once stepped foot on an athletics track.
“I joined Manly Warringah Little Athletics Club when I was seven, but the fact I joined at all was a fluke. One of my school friend’s parents was registering their daughter, so I asked my mum if I could join too,” Inkster said.
If this moment in time had played out a little differently, it’s highly likely Olivia would have found herself at the pinnacle of another sport.
Putting aside her impressive list of athletics achievements, Olivia has also competed at a national level for swimming, regional level for touch football and played state age netball.
It was in her early teenage years that Olivia’s athletics talents started to shine, regularly achieving podium finishes in the 100m, 200m and 400m events. After battling through a few injuries, Olivia says everything
seemed to fall into place in 2019 when she won her first national title in the U15 200m at the Australian Athletics Championships.
That victory lit a fire within Olivia, prompting her to take the necessary steps to ensure she had every chance of achieving further athletic success whilst also prioritising her studies.
“I wanted to attend a school that was able to help me achieve both my academic and sporting goals, and I knew Pymble would be the right school to do this,” Inkster said.
Olivia started at Pymble in 2020 as a new Year 10 student and seamlessly transitioned into College life, saying that all the students, teachers and coaches showed her immense support both on and off the athletics track.
“I am forever grateful to everyone that has been by my side and supported me through my journey as a Pymble girl. I was lucky enough to have an endless support network that has
helped me develop and understand my ability as an athlete on the track,” Inkster said.
Going into 2022, Olivia knew that she would have a lot on her plate in completing the Higher School Certificate whilst simultaneously striving to achieve her athletics goals. But having a lot on her plate ended up being an understatement; at times throughout the year, her plate was well and truly overflowing.
“I missed class time with my teachers due to competing at state and nationals and ended up missing the entirety of my Trial examinations when I flew to Cali, Columbia to compete at the World U20 Athletics Championships. I then contracted COVID on my return to Australia,” Inkster explained.
Olivia credits her time management skills and the help of her wide support network for getting her through.
“It was really tough trying to balance everything, and I know I wouldn’t have been able to get through the year and complete everything to the best of my ability without the support of my friends, family and school,” Inkster said.
In her three years at the College, Olivia says she developed qualities such as resilience, determination, confidence, teamwork and commitment, and she knows that, as an athlete, she will take these with her throughout the remainder of her career.
Olivia says it’s surreal to think that she has been given the opportunity to achieve one of her major life goals of representing her country at such a young age. She’s also ambitious to achieve a whole lot more.
“There is still so much I want to achieve both on and off the track in the coming years. I love everything about athletics; I love competing, the friends I have made, learning how to be faster on the track and watching others compete.
“I would love to be in the Australian World U20 team heading to Peru in 2024, make the opens teams and one day represent Australia at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games,” Inkster said.
Alongside her aspirations on the track, Olivia has also been offered sports leadership scholarships at several Australian universities, with the University of Technology Sydney currently top of her list.
“I want to pursue a profession in the field of sports and exercise science. I’m not too sure yet where I’ll end up in my career, but sports and exercise science is something I’m passionate about and I’m excited to see where that will take me in the next few years,” Inkster said.
Olivia also wants to use her platform to inspire others and bring to light the amazing achievements of other athletes around her. For younger aspiring athletes with ambitions to follow in her footsteps, Olivia offers some sage advice.
“Hang in there, work hard and stay determined in whatever you set your mind to because hard work and dedication really does pay off.
“It is also not about being the best in what you do, it’s about trying your best and giving yourself every opportunity to be the best version of yourself both in your sport and as a person,” Inkster explained. “In doing this, there’s nothing that you won’t be able to achieve.”
When asked to name a highlight of her time at the College, Olivia unselfishly says that there isn’t just one moment that stood out as a highlight; rather her highlights are the memories that Pymble gave her.
“Memories like making new friends, the support I felt from my coaches and teachers, leadership opportunities and sporting teams – the list of memories I have made is endless.
“These memories have helped me understand myself better as a person, achieve my goals and make lifelong friendships,” Inkster said.
While Olivia was only a Pymble student for three years, she will now be a Pymble girl for life, and rates her time spent at the College as some of the most influential years of her life she will ever experience.
“I would not change anything about my experience at Pymble because I am proud of the person this school has helped me become, and I can’t wait to see what memories will be made in the future,” Inkster said.
In a fantastic story of what’s possible if you expand your interests and try something new, Lilian Huntley will next year pack up her life and move to New Jersey in the United States after accepting a rowing scholarship at Rutgers University.
Lilian started rowing in Year 8 after deciding to take a break from competitive swimming and, in her first trial session, was put through her paces by her coach who sat behind her and gave her feedback on her technique as she rowed around the bay.
“I was so nervous, but I loved it and signed up. Things progressed quickly and in my second year of rowing I made the First Eight, which was a huge step up in intensity and workload,” Huntley said.
Since then, Lilian has achieved vast amounts of success, earning selection
for the igsa First Eight and the New South Wales U/17 and U/19 First Eight crews.
Rowing quickly became a passion of Lilian’s; however, it soon became difficult to juggle the many training sessions and her studies in her final year of high school.
“Managing ten training sessions a week with the Year 12 workload was very challenging,” Huntley said. “Time management was essential – I had to know my schedule and make good use of my free time.
“I studied when I could and prepared assignments ahead of time, but I also made time to see my friends and have some form of social life. Having this balance was vital for my mental health,” Huntley explained.
When Lilian found out she had received a scholarship to Rutgers University, one of the most respected and prestigious institutions in the world, she was over the moon. The early mornings, late finishes and countless hours of training had finally paid off.
“It was surreal,” Huntley said.
“After talking with several colleges, I was certain that Rutgers was where I wanted to go. When Justin Price, the head coach of rowing at Rutgers, officially offered me a position, I was so excited, and hugely relieved, that all the years of hard work had been worthwhile.”
Lilian says that the decision to try rowing is one of the best she has ever made; an unforgettable experience that taught her many valuable lessons, including the value of teamwork and resilience.
“If you’re willing to listen and work hard, there will always be someone to support you. I leave Pymble with an ongoing love of the sport,” Huntley said.
The friendships Lillian made over the years is her number one highlight of her time at the College, saying the huge amount of time spent with her peers, teammates and coaches made them feel like a second family.
“Through netball, swimming and rowing, I have friendships that I imagine will last a lifetime,” Huntley said.
After accepting a rowing scholarship at one of America’s most respected universities, Lilian Huntley reveals how she balanced early-morning and late-night training sessions with the academic demands of Year 12, all the while trying to maintain a social life.
Ruby Nicholas has loved sports since she was a tiny child but reluctantly watching her brothers play rugby from the sidelines has led her to representing Australia and taking on the world in rugby sevens.
Can you tell us about your schooling journey at Pymble?
I started at Pymble in 2017 in Year 7 and my favourite subjects at school were PDHPE, English and Drama.
You were actively involved in sport at Pymble and developed into an elite rugby sevens player. Can you tell us about your love of sport and your accomplishments?
My love for sport began when I was four and was dragged around to watch my brothers play rugby. To keep me amused, my parents registered me to play in the boys U5 team at Lindfield Rugby Club. My
mum was horrified! I soon realised I had a love for all team sports, leading me to play and represent Pymble in hockey, basketball, touch football, AFL and of course, rugby.
I have just been selected in the U18s Australian Rugby Sevens team which is incredibly exciting. This will be my focus in 2023 as it will include a heavy training schedule and hopefully, some overseas travel. In addition, I am going to be completing my Certificate III and Certificate IV in Personal Training with the Australian Institute of Fitness and I plan to study at the NSW Police Academy with a goal to join the police force in 2024
How did Pymble support you in balancing your studies and sporting commitments?
The Pymble Elite Sportswoman’s Program (PESP) constantly kept me on
track and balanced with my training schedules and my studies.
Miss Halliday was not only a great leader in this program, but she was always there to support me when things got tough or stressful.
My year 12 English teacher, Mr Heggie always kept it real and gave me a laugh. My Drama teacher, Ms Sweetman always had many words of encouragement and made me realise I could excel in other areas as well as sport.
What has been a highlight of your time at Pymble?
I have many highlights of Pymble but my name being on the wall multiple times in the gym will always be something special. The friends that I have made here will be my lifelong friends. The incredible Pymble facilities allowed me to achieve all my training goals and helped me become a better athlete.
One of our talented textiles and design students had her major project - a beautiful Vietnamese-inspired dress - recognised with a state nomination, all stemming from a gift she received as a young girl.
When Rosie Le was gifted her first sewing machine by her parents when she was ten years old, little did she know that it would help shape the next eight years of her life.
From a young girl with a passion for everything art and design, Rosie’s major project was recently nominated for the TEXStyle HSC Exhibition – an event which showcases exemplary work from students in the HSC subject Textiles and Design – sealing her spot as one of the top young design students in New South Wales.
Comprised of a long tunic-like body with side slits, flowy plants and soft eye-catching colours, Rosie says her piece was inspired by the traditional garment of Vietnam.
“My main inspiration for my major project came from the traditional costume of my Vietnamese culture, the Ao Dai, which directly translates to long shirt,” Le said.
“I was also inspired by the lotus –Vietnam’s national flower – and channelled this through the pink and green colour palette.”
During her time at Pymble, Rosie worked hard to build up her designing, sewing and overall artistry, but says she was incredibly lucky to have such dedicated and passionate teachers and that her achievements wouldn’t have been possible without them.
“My Textiles and Design teachers have helped me immensely,” said Le. “I felt incredibly supported through the construction of my project, especially by Ms Hansby who would stay back after school and take time out of her free periods to help us with our work.
“I’m not only grateful for the teachers, but also for the amazing facilities offered at Pymble which allow students to bring their ideas to fruition.”
Whilst Rosie is still unsure whether she’ll pursue a career in design or accept an offer of early entry into a Bachelor of Psychology at Macquarie University, she says that textiles and design will remain an important part of her future as sewing is one of her favourite ways to wind down and thinks it’s quite handy being able to make or alter her own clothes.
Some of the most special memories Rosie made during her time at Pymble were from participating in Textiles on Parade every year since she was in Year 8 and having the opportunity to display different garments that she had made on stage in the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts.
This year, Rosie enjoyed being in the audience and watching students from younger years showcase their creativity and designs, and her achievement will no doubt inspire them to achieve the same levels of success as she did.
CINDY HU
Cindy Hu, never one to blow her own trumpet, now has cause for celebration after gaining entry to one of Australia’s most prestigious music schools.
Located between the serene Royal Botanic Gardens and the bustling Sydney Central Business District, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music is one of the oldest and most prestigious music schools in Australia.
In 2023 it will also be home to Cindy Hu, one of Pymble’s finest musicians.
Cindy started learning the trumpet when she was seven years old and is thrilled to have accepted an offer to next year join such an influential, highly regarded music institution.
“I feel proud and honoured to be accepted into this prestigious school and have the opportunity to further my music education,” Hu said.
Attending the Sydney Conservatorium of Music hasn’t been a long-term goal of Cindy’s, saying she only recently became inspired in the last couple of years by her friends in the Castle Hill RSL Youth Wind Orchestra pursuing a professional music education.
Now, with a once-in-a-life time opportunity firmly in her grasp, Cindy aspires to become a trumpeter in a professional orchestra and a music educator nurturing younger generations to follow their dreams and become musicians themselves.
Cindy says that Pymble helped her tremendously with developing her skills, crediting the College’s outstanding facilities and the support and expertise of the Music staff.
However, Marcus Stafford, Head of Bands at Pymble, says that Cindy’s determination and consistent effort were the true catalysts for her musical success.
“Cindy is a fine young musician. She is a fabulous trumpet player who has worked diligently to improve her level of performance and technique, and I wish her all the best in her musical journey,” Stafford said.
Whilst only a student at the College for three years, the memories Cindy made at Pymble will stay with her as she progresses into the next stage of her music career.
“The people I met in the music facility was the highlight of my time at Pymble. The knowledge and advice they gave me, as well as the fun times we had creating music together, were positive, meaningful and fun experiences,” Hu said.
Two of Pymble’s elite dancers reveal the inspiration behind their HSC-nominated final performances and the blood, sweat, tears and countless hours they put in behind the scenes to perfect their art.
JESSICA TSE, FIONA FU AND DELTA ZARAFETASDance has been a large part of Jessica Tse, Delta Zarafetas and Fiona Fu’s lives since they were little girls, so it’s only fitting that all three achieved outstanding results in Dance – a subject and interest they are so passionate about – in their Higher School Certificate.
After years of hard work, dedication and countless hours in the dance studio, the three girls were deservingly rewarded with nominations for 2022 HSC Callback, an annual showcase of exemplary performances and compositions of dance from students across the state.
The girls were told of their nomination whilst in a lesson with their Dance teacher Miss Katrina Cluff; their practice quickly erupting with celebration and resembling more of a dance party.
“I was pretty stoked to have gotten nominations for all three of my dances,” Tse said. “The recognition of my work was affirming, and I’m incredibly grateful that my concepts and choreography were well received.”
Jessica has also been informed that, out of all the outstanding 2022 nominees, she has been selected to perform at Callback, solidifying her spot as one of the top young dancers in New South Wales.
Fiona was equally ecstatic, saying that her nomination was a just reward for the hard work she put in not only during her HSC year, but throughout her entire dancing journey.
“It was very exciting, and I felt so relieved and gratified knowing that this past year of working, changing and then reworking my choreography had paid off.
“All artists know that the process of creating is tumultuous and sometimes makes us feel insecure about the journey, so receiving the news that my practice had been well received by my markers was incredible,” Fu said.
Jessica and Fiona started dancing when they were four and five years old respectively, however both girls said it wasn’t until they came to Pymble that their dancing truly thrived and they were challenged to improve in all
aspects that dance demands as both a sport and artform.
“Joining the Pymble dance family has been an exciting journey full of new dance styles and teachers who constantly encouraged, inspired and pushed me to improve,” Tse said.
Fiona says that her dance teachers at Pymble taught her correct movement and how to utilise technique to create work that people would enjoy watching. It’s no surprise that many aspects of what she was taught ended up featuring in her final performances.
“When composing my HSC pieces, I found myself using movements that my dance coaches had previously taught me, so the choreographers I’ve worked with over time have helped me mature my artistry as well as my personal style,” Fu said.
Jessica and Fiona both took inspiration from Greek mythology when choreographing their Core Compositions, however, went down different paths for their major performances.
Jessica’s major performance was inspired by the Japanese folklore Jorōgumo which tells the story of an enchanting yet deadly woman who can shapeshift into a spider, luring and ensnaring men in her web of power.
Fiona’s performance, on the other hand, revolved around the concept of time where she embodied a confident and prideful persona, saying that she “loved the freedom and creative liberty” she was granted without having to worry about requirements of what the HSC markers wished to see.
While the three girls’ final performances were on full display, their commitment to their art, the countless hours they spent practicing in the dance studio and all the work they put in behind the scenes was what made their success possible.
“I spent many study periods, lunchtimes and early mornings in the Main Hall choreographing, teaching, dancing and fixing my compositions,” Tse said.
“Outside of school, Eisteddfod and commercial classes kept my stamina and technique at the level they needed to be, aiding with the practical component,” she added.
Fiona said that perfecting a routine is going beyond familiarising the steps, but letting it be as systematic as automatic bodily functions. This in-depth process sometimes involved practicing her routine whilst in class, leading to some strange looks from her peers.
“This process takes a long time and includes doing many run-throughs of the choreography with 100 per cent effort, listening to the music over and over again, and even doing the movements throughout the day,” Fu explained.
“I will admit to subtly doing the choreography during class. My classmates probably saw my head moving side to side and wondered, ‘what is Fiona doing?’ but it was all for the good of the finished product that everyone got to see.”
As the girls move into the next phase of their life post-Pymble, they are unsure whether they will continue dancing in the same capacity as they did during their school years.
“I want to continue dancing for fun in commercial classes and teaching dance. I successfully auditioned to join Sydney Dance Company’s PreProfessional Year, but I’m still thinking of university and considering my options for where I want to go and what I want to do in the future,” Tse said.
Having been immersed in dance for the past twelve years, Fiona said she’s looking forward to a break, however, she knows that dance will always remain an important part of her life.
“For me, dance will always be a form of destressing and creative expression – it is second nature for me to put on some music and improvise to it when I need the outlet.
“Additionally, the flexibility I’ve developed over the years is not something I want to go to waste; being able to do the splits is fun!” Fu said.
As the world navigates its way through a tricky economic predicament, there is some light on the horizon with two of Pymble’s brightest students accepting cadetships at world renowned financial institutions.
In 2023, Zoey Chen will join Swiss multinational investment bank UBS’ cadetship program, while fellow graduate Arshia Bhardwaj has the honour of being hand-picked as Macquarie Group’s first-ever cadet.
Both Zoey and Arshia discovered their interest in finance after taking up Commerce in Year 9, which quickly turned into a passion during their study of Economics in the Higher School Certificate.
“I have always found it interesting how a single decision in one part of the world can impact so many different facets of the global economy,” Bhardwaj said.
Zoey’s desire to pursue a career in the financial services industry stemmed from her family members’ careers in accounting and banking and said that her participation in finance-related activities at Pymble solidified that desire.
“I specifically found my interest in research through playing the ASX
School Sharemarket Game which sparked my curiosity in wanting to find answers, make sense of and find patterns in graphs and trends and ultimately deal with the buying and selling of assets,” Chen said.
Offered a chance to participate in elite cadetships only given to a limited number of students, Zoey and Arshia are keen to grab the opportunity with both hands.
“I want to make the most of my position as a cadet by learning as much as I can about the financial world, specifically equities which is the area I will be working in,” Bhardwaj said.
Pymble girls are encouraged and supported every single day to change the world in their own unique way, and when asked how she would like to do this in her finance career, Zoey says she wants to become a powerful female influence on younger generations in a traditionally maledominated industry.
“There is only a small pool of female role models in finance for the younger generation of girls,” Chen said.
“Looking up to Shemara Wikramanayake, the host of Girls in Finance and CEO of Macquarie Group
who has been my role model since her appointment, inspires me to change the world by becoming a female figure for future girls interested in pursuing a career in finance to look up to.”
Arshia says that while changing the world can incorporate many different ideas, she wants the focal point of her career to be giving back to the community any way she can.
“This may involve helping students find their passions and advance their careers or accelerating female equality in the workplace. I would like to become a next generation leader who contributes to many different aspects of the world,” Bhardwaj said.
When asked where they see themselves in ten years’ time, Zoey says she would like to progress in financial services to create value for society which, as an industry, can act as a powerful tool to create change in various capacities.
Arshia, on the other hand, sees herself in investment banking travelling the globe, saying she has always dreamt of working and living abroad, especially in New York City.
Wherever these two girls end up, they will always remember the special memories from their time at
Zoey Chen and Arshia Bhardwaj discovered their passion for finance at an early age, and next year will join two globally renowned financial institutions as their newest cadets. Here’s how they plan to change the world from an economic perspective.
Pymble and will take the skills they learnt forward with them into their undoubtedly bright futures.
“Pymble taught me a lot of transferrable skills I can use in my future career, including teamwork, leadership, communication, resilience and many more attributes relevant to a career in finance,” Chen said.
Arshia’s graduation week, which included the Valedictory Dinner and an amazing moment where the entirety of Year 12 partied, danced and sang Taylor Swift’s song 22, was a highlight of her time at Pymble, and says she is incredibly thankful for all the College has taught and done for her.
“Pymble has helped me grow so much as a student and, as a young woman, I am infinitely grateful for every opportunity that was offered to me,” Bhardwaj said.
Wherever these two girls end up, they will always remember the special memories from their time at Pymble and will take the skills they learnt forward with them into their undoubtedly bright futures.
When Tahmara Thomas witnessed the confronting scenes of Afghans fleeing their country, she knew she had to do something to help. Here’s how one girl, and one small idea, helped changed the world for those in need.
It was just another normal start to the day for Tahmara Thomas as she sat at the kitchen table eating her breakfast and watching the morning news. What then appeared on her television screen sent shockwaves around the globe.
After the fall of Kabul, the withdrawal of United States and NATO forces and the collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai International Airport remained the only non-Taliban controlled route out of the country.
Footage of Afghan locals flooding the airport, clinging onto departing military aircraft and doing everything they could to escape their war-torn city was a confronting scene for many. For Tahmara, it was also an opportunity to make a difference.
To assist the thousands of Afghan refugees who fled their country assimilate into Australia, Tahmara joined forces with Her Village founder Tim Thomas to ideate and host the Her Village Championship and Afghan Cultural Festival at Pymble in March 2022.
The event saw more than 20 recently arrived Afghan schoolgirls take to the
pitch in mixed teams with Pymble students for a friendly football match and allowed the refugees to share their rich culture with the local community through storytelling, sport, music, food and other activities.
“I wanted to do something, using the education that I’ve been blessed with, to bring about change.
“Through this day, my team and I aimed to spread a greater awareness about the crisis in Afghanistan and, more generally, the human rights issues people face across the world,” Thomas said.
Tahmara says that even though Australia and the wider Pymble community weren’t directly involved in the disastrous events that took place in Afghanistan, she wanted to make known that people could still make a difference.
“Even though we are geographically removed from these hotspots, we can still contribute in small ways by taking action, raising awareness and empowering people who have been victims of various misfortunes,” Thomas said.
Her Village founder Tim Thomas says that although many people within Australian communities want to lend a hand in assisting with global problems, they often don’t know how to, but explains that even something small can lead to large-scale change.
“We have a potential microcosm of global change at our doorsteps with
the brave stories of these refugees, and now a platform to make real change –with something as simple as football,” Mr Thomas said.
When Tahmara pitched the idea to Principal Dr Kate Hadwen, she didn’t hesitate to support the initiative, exemplifying the College’s intent to nurture compassionate and influential young women who have the academic, emotional, social and digital intelligence to make the world a better place for all.
“When I look at the work our Pymble girls are doing in terms of breaking bias, creating opportunities for equality and lifting up other girls and women who need support, I see great hope for the future,” Hadwen said.
“Tahmara’s passion and commitment to extending the hand of friendship to newly arrived refugees from Afghanistan and honouring their stories of courage and sacrifice is a testament to the power of one.
“It takes a village to raise a child, but it takes one person to stand up, speak out and enlist others to make a difference in the world,” Hadwen said.
Tahmara is currently making plans to host a second – and larger scale –Her Village Championship Festival at Pymble in 2023 as an undergraduate student, having received early entry offers for Law and Psychology at Macquarie University and International Studies at UTS.
Congratulations on your early offer to study archaeology at university. What drew you to this subject area?
Thank you! I love to study archaeology and history because it allows me to connect with the past in a different way. I fell in love with history in Year 10 due to the influence of my Modern History teacher Mr Stewart. He made the lessons very entertaining and would always help us in any way possible. I realised towards the end of Year 10, that my particular passions are Roman History and the Cities of Vesuvius and decided to continue studying history in my senior years at Pymble.
What would you like to do when you graduate? Where do you hope your studies will take you?
I know that my history studies at Pymble will be a great base for my university studies for the next three years. I hope that archaeology will take me around the world to discover artefacts and untold stories about life
Sophie Corcoran is a fourth generation Pymble student who has accepted an early offer to study a Bachelor of Archaeology at Australian Catholic University (ACU).
long ago. I also hope to become a historian after I graduate university.
Your family has a long and very special history with Pymble. Can you tell us about that?
I am the fourth generation in a family of Pymble students. My sister, Madi (2019), my mum Katrina (1987), my grandmother Carolyn Hum (White 1962), great-aunt Robyn Page, (1968), great-great aunt Edna Graham (1926) all attended the College. My greatgreat grandfather Alfred Graham also designed and constructed the Marden Gates at the front of the College on Avon Road.
Tell us about your Pymble journey. What did you enjoy most about your time at the College?
In Year 9, I joined the Pymble Cadet Unit which I continued into Year 12. Cadets helped me to grow as a person and allowed me to develop my leadership ability which is an incredible life skill. My teachers were
inspirational in guiding me to discover my areas of academic strength. Mr Stewart and Mrs Nicholson, my Ancient and Modern History teachers in Year 11 and 12, supported me throughout my last two years and are the reasons why I love history and want to continue my studies to university.
My highlights include attending special events such as the Queen’s Birthday Parade with Cadets. I treasure this memory as it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and we were able to connect with other cadet units from all over Australia. I also love the Pymble Garden Parties that are hosted every year and was thankful that we were able to attend our last one before we graduated this year. I also had the privilege of working backstage this year in the Pymble musical Mamma Mia, I loved every bit of it and enjoyed making new friends from different year groups.
As is the case with many people, walking through the Pymble gates for the very first time took Pip Austin and Rylee McKinstry’s breath away.
“I didn’t think it was possible for grass to grow that green, particularly during a drought,” Austin said.
Pip and Rylee started at the College as boarders in Year 7 in 2017, farewelling their respective hometowns of Cowra and Wamberal on the Central Coast. It was a nerve-wracking experience, but both girls were immediately welcomed into the community and felt the trademark love and warmth of the Boarding staff.
“At first, I was super nervous to leave home and move to an entirely different environment, but the Boarding staff and older girls were so supportive,” McKinstry said.
“Not only that, but I also got to start participating in so many different sporting and boarding activities pretty much straight away; opportunities which were just incomparable to my previous experiences.”
It was this early participation that drove both girls to further pursue their interest in sports; Pip ended up making the Senior Firsts in Rowing, Rugby Sevens and Hockey, whilst Rylee was elected Pymble’s Diving Captain and had success at both state and national levels.
“The diving community played such an important role in helping me balance the craziness and stresses of high school,” McKinstry said.
“It gave me a safe space to push myself in sport, and I was so grateful for the opportunity to be a leader that younger divers could lean on.”
However, despite all that Pip and Rylee achieved in the sporting arena, their appointment as Boarding Head Prefect and Deputy Boarding Head Prefect, respectively, was their greatest honour and achievement in their time at Pymble.
“Boarding Head Prefect was an extremely rewarding role and a chance to be involved in the community that had given so much to me over the years,” Austin said.
Pip says her favourite part of the role was being able to ignite change within the Boarding community, but quickly learned that, as a leader, she couldn’t please everyone as she would have liked.
“Communication and negotiation never go astray, but as much as you try to accommodate everybody, sometimes it’s okay to say ‘no’ – it can often save overcommitting in the long run.”
Unsurprisingly, Pip and Rylee also, at times, battled with homesickness, saying that the change of pace going
from a relaxed town atmosphere to boarding school chaos can burn you out quite easily. They also had to learn how to navigate their lives without their parents – their biggest supporting figures.
“I had to learn to be independent, develop new support structures and navigate with no safety net or guidance. But at the end of the day, it made me all the more grateful for my hometown and family,” Austin said.
Both girls also had a strong focus on their academic subjects and had to strike a balance between their leadership duties, sporting commitments and maintaining good grades. This balance certainly paid off, with Pip (94.35) and Rylee (98.90) achieving fantastic results in the Higher School Certificate.
“Of course, my academics needed to take priority, but having the responsibility of leadership allowed me to stay grounded and ensure that I was involved in the community and not isolating myself during stressful times,” McKinstry said.
Pip says that fully embracing her commitments and responsibilities was the best solution when things got a bit overwhelming, but concedes that it’s also okay to, at times, take a break to give yourself the best chance of success.
“Sometimes hitting the storm head on is better than waiting for it to come to you. You’ll often get through it quicker,” Austin said.
“Something I also learnt was to quit while you’re ahead – not in a sense that opposes that ‘never give up’ mentality, but if you sense that it all might come crumbling down, take an early night or have a cup of tea so you can attack things when willpower is in your favour.”
While Pip is still deciding on what she will study next year at university, Rylee has accepted a place in the Bachelor of Accounting Co-op Scholarship Program at the University of Technology Sydney which will see her complete internships at companies such as Coca-Cola, Lendlease and the Big Four accounting firms.
Both girls thoroughly enjoyed their time at the College and say they wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Pymble to prospective parents considering sending their daughter to boarding school.
“There is no better opportunity than Pymble to receive a well-rounded high school experience,” McKinstry said.
“Boarding school allows you to get involved in a wide array of activities, and whatever you choose to prioritise, the Boarding community is amazing in supporting you in thriving in that area.”
Jasmine Zhi had two things in her favour when applying for the leadership role of her dreams – her ears.
“I’m a listener. I’m not an extrovert but I am very interested in being around different people, connecting with their behaviour and understanding how they see the world,” Zhi said.
“The role of Student Communications Prefect appealed to me because it involves listening to all the different world views, perspectives and personalities and finding a unified way to share their voices.”
As Pymble’s Student Communications Prefect in 2021/22, Jasmine listened to and led a committee of six Student Communications Leaders – one each from Years 7 to 12 – to amplify student voice across a range of communications channels at the College. These channels included the weekly newsletter, School Magazine and Pymble Prefects Instagram page.
Together, Jasmine and her committee also recruited a sub-committee of Secondary School students interested in discussing issues ranging from local
events to global trends to create a new series of episodes for the Pymble Podcast catalogue.
“We focused our podcast episodes around our four pillars of intelligence – social, emotional, digital and academic – to give voice to issues ranging from mental health, to sexuality and racism,” Zhi said.
“The idea of digital communication is incredibly important, as we saw with the Covid lockdowns which impacted communication in the student body during isolation. In addition, whilst focusing on communications with students, some of our podcasts also involve interviews with teachers, which allowed our community to connect across a broader range of ages and demographics,” Zhi said.
As one of the first group of prefects to appoint and work with a committee under her portfolio, Jasmine gained valuable experience in workplace skills. Her role involved interviewing shortlisted students for places on the committee, regular mentor sessions with a staff member, and setting agendas and follow-up action points for team meetings and projects.
“I am grateful for this leadership experience as it gave me insight into the background work a leader has to do in order for the committee to function as a collective,” Zhi said.
“All the student leaders, peers and teachers I met on this experience made me realise the nuances that come with building networks and connections with groups of unique individuals – to go into a committee meeting weekly and come out with all your agenda completed and all the girls laughing and having fun is a really fulfilling feeling.
“The ability to mediate a group of diverse people whilst still respecting all their ideas is a skill I wish to take into my future pathways,” Zhi said.
While Jasmine’s future pathway is still to be confirmed, she has her sights firmly set on studying Human, Social and Political Sciences abroad. Given her outstanding ATAR of 99.9 and second in the state placement for English Advanced, the College is quietly confident we will be receiving Jasmine’s next communications from afar in 2023.
In 2022, Pymble’s arts and technology students have been nominated for a record number of HSC showcases and exhibitions.
Art Express is an annual series of exhibitions of exemplary artworks created by HSC visual arts students.
Ashley Dhanu, Joye Fu, Isobel Gosper, Bomy Kim, Hayley Leighton, Georgina Makeham, Chloe Moore, Emilie Palme, Tiah Shaw
SELECTED
Ashley Dhanu, Joye Fu, Isobel Gosper, Bomy Kim, Hayley Leighton
A record number of nominations were received for OnSTAGE by Pymble drama students with 75 per cent of the Drama class of 20 being nominated for group performances. Seven students were double nominated for both individual and group performances.
Chloe Tedesco, Amelia Fantham, Sophie Coughlan, Annabelle Ainsworth, Antoinette Boxall, Kate Falconer-Flint, Annika Johnson
Caged - Amelia Brown, Sophie Coughlan, Amelia Fantham, Chloe Tedesco and Tahmara Thomas
The Swedish Sisters - Antoinette Boxall, Ciara Gibson, Kashika Goswami, Kate Falconer-Flint and Annika Johnson
Empire of None - Annabelle Ainsworth, Alisha Behl, Anna Mufford, Tessa Webster and Rosanna Van Horen
Exemplary individual projects by HSC Drama students will be on exhibition in the upstairs foyer of the Seymour Centre from Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2022. Projects include costume and set design, promotion and program, and theatre review.
Alisha Behl, Ciara Gibson, Tahmara Thomas, Rosanna van Horen, Tessa Webster
Alisha Behl, Ciara Gibson
ENCORE is a showcase of performances and compositions by HSC music students. This year, Pymble had five students nominated. Isabel Dean has been selected to perform at the Sydney Opera House in February 2023.
Lara Albany Music 2 and Music extension
Isabel Dean Music 2 and Music extension
Cindy Yingyan Hu Music 2 and Music extension
Annika Johnson Music 1
Christina Wu Music 2 and Music extension
SELECTED
Isabel Dean
An exhibition featuring a selection of students’ exemplary HSC major projects from Design and Technology, Industrial Technology and Textiles and Design.
Sarah Charlotte Atkinson, Nina Breckenridge, Lara Davis, Emilia Duncan, Claudia Johnston
An exhibition of a selection of exemplary Textiles and Design projects from the HSC.
NOMINATED Rosie Le
CALLBACK is a celebration of the outstanding talent of our HSC Dance students. In 2022, all three Dance students were nominated in at least one category, with two receiving triple-nominations. Jessica Tse has been selected to perform her Major Study Performance at The Seymour Centre in February next year.
Core Performance
Fiona Fu, Jessica Tse, Delta Zarafetas
Core Composition
Jessica Tse, Delta Zarafetas
Major Study Performance
Jessica Tse, Delta Zarafetas
SELECTED
Major Study Performance Jessica Tse
Absence- Isobel Gosper