agazine
THIS BOOK BELONGS TO
LEADERSHIP (Pages
to
Chair of the Board’s End of Year Message
Pymble Board and Company Secretary
End of Year Message
Leadership
PREPARATORY (Pages 29 to 50)
Kindergarten
Kindergarten Artworks
Year 1
Year 1 Artworks
Year
Year 2 Artworks
JUNIOR (Pages 51 to 92)
Junior School Leaders
Liaisons’ Report
Careers Day
International Women’s Day/PJ Factor
Year
Year
Year
SECONDARY (Pages 93 to 150)
Academic Learning Captains’ Report
Year 11 Subject Captains
da Vinci Decathlon
Online Learning
Geography, Business Studies and Economics
History, Society & Ethics
Indigenous Education
Information and Communications Technology
School Artworks
School Strings
School
Assemblies
and Applied
and Technology HSC
HSC
Assemblies
WELLBEING (Pages 151 to 166)
Wellbeing Captains’ Report
School
School.
School
BOARDERS (Pages 167 to 172)
Boarding Head Prefects’ Report
Day
It, Love It, Learn It
Prefects
12 Boarders
HOUSE REPORTS
CO-CURRICULAR PERFORMING ARTS
CO-CURRICULAR SPORT
CO-CURRICULAR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
CO-CURRICULAR EXTENDED LEARNING
Editors
Georgina Cain
Ashleigh Clark
Lyndal Elder Joanne Hibburt Kate Husen Martha Itzcovitz Josephine Laretive Alysha Marsden Jenny Olsen Gladys Uy
Leadership
Ashley Chen, Year 12 and Dr Kate Hadwen (Principal)Leadership
CHAIR OF THE BOARD’S END OF YEAR MESSAGE
The following message was delivered by Mr James Hunter at our End of Year Assemblies for Years 3 and 4, Year 7 and Year 11 in November 2021.
Dr Hadwen, staff, parents, carers and girls,
At Pymble we firmly believe that supporting your daughter to achieve her full potential is a partnership between our girls, you as parents and carers, and our incredible Pymble team. This has never been more important than in a year when the pandemic has dictated almost five months of online lear ning at home, with innovative classroom tuition and invaluable support from parents or carers.
So let me start by asking our students to join me in thanking your parents or carers who have been such an important part of your lives this year. Parents and carers, thank you for everything you have done to reschedule and reprioritise for your daughters this year.
The seamless transition from face-to-face learning in Term 2 to Pymble Online for Term 3 was a massive team effort.
• In the first month, 5,000,000 minutes of video were prepared and streamed and we held 30,000 online meetings.
• More than 800 dancers attended one or more of 60 online dance classes held each week. Our dancers also performed in an Online Eisteddfod Dance showcase.
• Staff and students enjoyed an online presentation from the artistic director of the Queensland Ballet in Brisbane and author of Mao’s Last Dancer, Li Cunxin AO.
• We launched a College-wide online Pymlympics competition, including a Junior School Pentathlon and Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Congratulations to the overall winning House, Hammond.
• Recreational community events during lockdown included an online Family Trivia Night, interactive online cooking class with celebrity chef Justine Schofield, and online drawing class.
As we look back on the year that was, we will remember how we worked together as a united community, producing some of the most amazing experiences I am sure our girls will never forget. I thought you would enjoy reflecting with me on some of these initiatives:
• On International Women’s Day (IWD) Pymble launched our Watch Us Change the World Strategic Direction and our Kindergarten to Year 12 girls contributed to the IWD ‘pledge wall’.
• Pymble also partnered with UN Women Australia to support gender equality and the empowerment of women globally.
• We welcomed fathers to our Dads and Daughters evenings presented by Dr Arne Rubinstein from the Rites of Passage Institute.
• Our community was joined by our second school dog, Turi, the biological niece of Archie and named after the courageous Turia Pitt. In Co-curricular sport and activities, we achieved so many wonderful outcomes, including:
• Pymble won nine Independent Girls’ Schools Association (IGSA) championships in AFL, Softball, Football, Basketball, Cross Country, Volleyball, Rowing, Swimming and Diving (for the tenth consecutive year!).
• The Knox Pymble Swim Club placed second in the overall age group point score at the Australian National Age and Club Swimming Championships.
• Pymble rowers won the overall point score at the annual Schoolgirl Head of the River Regatta.
• Pymble sailors won the 2021 SheSails Invitational Teams Racing Regatta and placed second overall at the ACT Sailing Championships and first in the all-girls’ school category.
...we worked together as a united community, producing some of the most amazing experiences I am sure our girls will never forget.
Leadership
CHAIR OF THE BOARD’S END OF YEAR MESSAGE
• The Eisteddfod Dance team performed at DanceLife Unite and Extreme Eisteddfod where Contemporary White and Secondary Jazz won first place – and Contemporary White won the Overall Judges’ Prize for schools. Secondary Jazz Navy and Secondary Jazz Scarlet placed first and second in their categories at DanceLife Unite.
• In the IGSA online Festival of Speech, Pymble placed second overall.
It is a source of great pride that, even during a pandemic, Pymble’s service to others continued stronger than ever. The year reminded us of our duty to assist those less fortunate than us and our efforts were so important. Our community support initiatives included:
• Ballet Without Borders, featuring our dancers, raised $16,000 for children who wouldn’t otherwise be able to access ballet.
• The Mother’s Day Morning Tea to support the McGrath Foundation raised more than $7,000 for the charity.
• The Wayside Chapel Love Over Hate Community Project saw our community donate countless boxes of toiletries as well as clean underwear, clothing, socks and towels for the homeless clients of Wayside Chapel.
On a different note, this year Pymble became an incorporated entity, which is an appropriate governance structure for a school in the 2020s, and we have further strengthened the strong relationship we have with the Uniting Church.
In Master Plan news, the planning and approvals are well underway for the Grey House Precinct, which is expected to be completed in the first half of 2024. This includes classrooms for Years 5 and 6, STEM classrooms, six dance studios, a Health Centre, our first Early Learning Centre, larger Out of School Hours Care for busy parents and carers, and much more.
Planning has also commenced for the Secondary School Precinct buildings which will be completed in early 2027, which is great news for many of our Junior School girls who will benefit from these facilities.
Let’s not forget Archie’s café, which will open early in 2022, overlooking the tennis courts and providing another food and drink outlet for students during the day and families on weekends during sport.
In closing, well done to each of our students for all your achievements throughout the year. On behalf of the Pymble Board, I hope that you are looking forward to 2022 with hope and optimism and wish you all a relaxing Christmas holiday.
Mr James Hunter, Chair of the BoardLeadership
Board of Directors
Company Secretary
Leadership
PRINCIPAL’S END OF YEAR MESSAGE
At the end of 2021, restrictions on gatherings were still in place due to COVID-19 and, consequently, our traditional Speech Day ceremonies were unable to proceed. As a COVIDsafe alternative, the College held bespoke events for each year group or learning stage.
To honour each cohort, Dr Hadwen chose one influential and compassionate woman who embodies the qualities she sees in our girls. The following excerpts are taken from Dr Hadwen’s speeches at 11 separate events held in December 2021 and January 2022.
Kindergarten: our masters of change
Girls, this year you have become masters of change as you switched overnight from learning in your classrooms to learning and connecting via Microsoft Teams lessons and Seesaw. Well done for coming to class each day with a beautiful smile and your enthusiasm for sharing what was happening in your life – even lost teeth! You identified changes you wanted to see in the playground and many of these suggestions are now in place. I see many qualities in you that I also see in the young climate change activist, Greta Thunberg. Just as you have been thoughtful about your environment and sought change, so too has Greta. Well done on a fantastic first year at Pymble
Year 1: our ‘can do’ learners
Year 1, you have navigated the many and varied changes this year with a ‘we can do it!’ attitude, and flourished by embracing all the opportunities available to you; well done. In many ways, the qualities I see in you are similar to the qualities I see in the youngest ever Nobel Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai. Girls, you have risen to overcome challenges and remained focused on your learning. Given how passionate Malala is about education for girls, I know she too would be proud of you.
Year 2: our Preparatory leaders
Year 2, you have worked through many challenges this year and impressed us all with your ability to demonstrate creativity and commitment. You used your creativity to keep everyone connected, especially through online assemblies, Microsoft Teams and our College newsletter. I see similar qualities in you that I also see in the former First Lady, Michelle Obama, who is a wonderful role model for others and a champion of education for girls. I know she would be just as proud of you as I am for having focused on your own learning along with supporting the learning and connection of all in our Preparatory School family. Congratulations!
“ I’ve learnt that no one is too small to make a difference. ”
Greta Thunberg, Climate Change Activist
“ One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world. ” Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
“ Your story is what you have, what you will always have. It is something to own. ”
Michelle Obama, Attorney, Author and former First Lady of the US
Leadership
PRINCIPAL’S END OF YEAR MESSAGE
Year 3: our explorers and adventurers
Year 3, you have studied explorers and also explored your own new learning frontiers, including Robotics, Kimochis and URSTRONG. You’ve focused on ‘what matters to you’ and taken steps to change your world. For you, I have chosen Dame Ellen MacArthur. Fearless, determined and heroic, she holds the world record for the fastest time to travel solo around the world in a sailing boat. She is a true explorer; a woman who knows what is important to her and draws on her strengths to achieve her goals. Remember to always retain the wonderful qualities of Dame Ellen that you have demonstrated in 2021.
Year 4: our champions of sustainability
Thank you, Year 4, for setting your sights on sustainably and agriculture this year. You have looked at First Nations farming practices and imagined future practices that are kind to our environment. With a focus on ‘grow your mind’, you have proven to be passionate, persuasive and open to possibility. To represent your qualities, I have chosen Dian Fossey – zoologist, conservationist and champion of the mountain gorilla. Dian followed her childhood dream of working with animals. Her work saved the mountain gorilla species and enables the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to focus on research, education and protecting gorillas and other endangered species. Girls, I encourage you to maintain your focus and passion for sustainability and the protection of our environment.
Year 5: our space explorers and historians
Year 5, I was delighted you chose to focus on actions of kindness and to study the book Wonder by R. J. Palacio, the powerful story of a ten-year-old boy who has a facial anomaly. This story highlights compassion and how small, simple acts of kindness can make a big difference. You have studied space exploration and proven to be able explorers yourselves, leading the charge with cooking and even running your own masterclass cooking lessons. For you I have chosen Amelia Earhart, who you may already know was the first woman to cross the Atlantic by plane. What is not so well known is that Amelia was a social worker and close friend of Eleanor Roosevelt, who also worked tirelessly to support those less privileged than herself. Amelia was famously quoted as saying her ethos was “Adventure is worthwhile in itself”.
“ Everyone has oceans to fly if they have the heart to do it. Is it reckless? Maybe. But what do dreams know of boundaries? ”
Amelia Earhart, Aviation Pioneer
“
When I was out there [sailing solo around the world] I was never ever alone, there was always a team of people behind me, in mind if not in body. ”
Dame Ellen MacArthur, Sailor and Climate Change Activist
“ When you realise the value of all life, you dwell less on what is past and concentrate more on the preservation of the future. ”
Dian Fossey, Zoologist and Conservationist
Leadership
PRINCIPAL’S END OF YEAR MESSAGE
Year 6: our leaders of the Junior School
Year 6, this year you have focused on sharing and understanding each other’s stories, which led to a celebration of your own diversity and an exploration of migration. You completed the OzHarvest FEAST program, learned how to cook using leftovers and created a recipe book, which will be published and sold to support OzHarvest. You have been great leaders and fierce advocates for change. The changemaker I have chosen to represent you is Margaret Bourke-White, the first western photographer allowed into the Soviet Union, the first female journalist for Life magazine and the first female war correspondent. Specialising in photoessays, Margaret was deeply moved to tell the stories of others through the lens of compassion and understanding. As you venture into Secondary School, and the next part of your story, I encourage you to always celebrate diversity and to take the time, as Margaret did, to understand the stories of others and to continue to support those less fortunate than yourselves.
Year 7: our adventurous spirits
Year 7, your insatiable zest for life, can-do attitude and resilience has inspired us all. It has been a pleasure to see your enthusiasm for all the opportunities at Pymble and the way in which you continue to embrace change. You have been pioneers in many ways, including at Vision Valley where we also welcomed your pioneering parents –the first and only parent group to visit Vision Valley! For you, I have selected a woman with determination and zest for life in spades. Nellie Bly (a pseudonym for her real name, Elizabeth Cochran), was a true pioneer in investigative journalism, fearlessly going undercover to expose injustices at a time when it was considered inappropriate for a woman to write under her own name.
You may have heard of the book or movie, Around the World in 80 Days, which chronicles the adventures of Phileas Fogg. Nellie set herself the task of beating the fictious Phileas’ time to circumnavigate the globe solo – and she did, in 72 days! Girls, thank you for the gift of your adventurous spirit in 2021.
Year 8: our voices of justice
Year 8, it’s impossible to ignore your magnificent, uplifting and strong sense of justice – you have found your voice! I have been impressed by your willingness to question things and consider their place in the world. You have a growing understanding of the importance of community within and beyond Pymble, and your responsibility to step up and lead the way. This was especially evident in your Term 4 Middle School Service program. For you, I have selected the world’s youngest female head of government, Jacinda Ardern, a woman who is deeply admired, cares for others and speaks her truth. Hold onto the wonderful qualities of Prime Minister Arden, many of which you are demonstrating already, and carry them into your future as you go on to change your world.
“ To understand another human you must gain some insight into the conditions which made him what he is. ”
Margaret Bourke-White, Photographer
“ I’ve always had the feeling that nothing is impossible if one applies a certain amount of energy in the right direction. If you want to do it, you can do it. ”
Nellie Bly, Journalist and Adventurer
“ One of the criticisms I’ve faced over the years is that I’m not aggressive enough or assertive enough, or maybe somehow, because I’m empathetic, it means I’m weak. I totally rebel against that. I refuse to believe that you cannot be both compassionate and strong. ”
Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand
Leadership
PRINCIPAL’S END OF YEAR MESSAGE
Year 9: our generous global citizens
Year 9, it was fantastic to hear how captivated you were during a presentation by Dr Andrew Browning, the obstetrician and gynaecologist who has worked as a senior fistula surgeon in Ethiopia and Tanzania for 13 years. Inspired, you set to work as a cohort, raising more than $1,000 in one week to support his work. You are also our pioneers, being the first to engage in our residential program at Vision Valley. It was such a pleasure to join some of you on your program and to witness first-hand your generosity of spirit, even when the program was cut short. For you, I have chosen Dorothy Hodgkin, Britain’s first female Nobel Laureate and an extraordinary chemist who enabled the mass production of lifesaving antibiotics, insulin and vitamin B12. Dorothy campaigned for the use of science as a way of promoting international understanding and was a strong advocate for aid in developing countries. She also had incredible perseverance – it took her 35 years to unlock the structure of insulin! I encourage you to continue to demonstrate the qualities of Dorothy that I see in you. Support those less fortunate than you, care for others, continue to be strong advocates for all that is right and just in the world and, most importantly, persevere.
Year 10: our humanitarians and creative souls
Year 10, it was impossible to narrow the field down to just one famous woman who represents your talents. On one hand, you are our creative souls – our musicians, dramatists, visuals artists, public speakers and performers. You won the annual Performing Arts Competition and many students in this cohort hold leads in the 2022 production of Mamma Mia You have entertained the Upper School throughout the year, both online and in person. You were also state grand finalists in the Evatt Competition, an academic simulation of the UN Council. Equally importantly, you have shown great kindness and care, having provided endless hours of service for Days for Girls, making sustainable sanitary kits for disadvantaged young women across the world.
For you, I have selected two amazing women. The first is the Former First Lady of the US, Eleanor Roosevelt, an unrelenting human rights activist. As Head of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, she drafted the Declaration of Human Rights and was dubbed ‘The First Lady of the World’.
The second is Dame Mary Quant, the revolutionary fashion designer who brought fun and fantasy to fashion in the 1960s with ‘The London Look’.
The creator of the mini skirt and hot pants felt that style and design should be available to all, not just those who could afford to pay for handmade clothes. Her rapid success forced a change in the UK clothes tax system and inspired other designers to change their attitudes and appeal to the youth market. Girls, as you head into your final year in the Upper School, I encourage you to continue to support others who need your support, and to do it in your own special way, with creativity and flair.
“ There are two moments [of discovery] that are important. There’s the moment when you know you can find out the answer and that’s the period you are sleepless, before you know what it is. When you’ve got it and know what it is, then you can rest easy. ”
Dorothy Hodgkin, Chemist and Nobel Prize Laureate
“ I am who I am today because of the choices
I made yesterday ”
Eleanor Roosevelt, Humanitarian and Former First Lady of the US “ Risk it, go for it.
Life always gives you another chance, another go at it. It’s very important to take enormous risks. ”
Dame Mary Quant, Fashion Designer
Leadership
PRINCIPAL’S END OF YEAR MESSAGE
Emily Murphy and the Famous Five
Year 11: our forces to be reckoned with
To our courageous and flexible Year 11 students, also known as Year 12 2022. You knitted piles of squares for Wrap with Love through lockdown and when you returned to campus. You were fantastic supporters of Year 12 2021 through the extended HSC process, even though that meant having limited access to some of your favourite places to hang out in order to maintain our ‘HSC bubble’. You have already demonstrated clear leadership of our school, in a calm, determined and thoughtful manner. After some deliberation, I’ve settled on Emily Murphy and the Famous Five. Emily was the first female magistrate in the British Empire in 1916. As she was about to pass her first sentence on a case, the defence lawyer challenged her authority by saying, “You are not even a person.” He was referring to the British law at the time, which stated women were not legal ‘persons’ and did not have legal right or privilege. Murphy joined forces with four other women to contest this law, which ultimately led to radical changes in the law and the rights of women, including the establishment of the first Women’s Court for cases of sexual assault. What most attracted me to Emily and the Famous Five as a representation of your cohort was the description of these women as determined, calm, questioning and, without doubt, persons to be reckoned with! The College is certainly in good hands with you as our leaders next year.
I think the most important thing is I just tried to be me. I just continued to be me; that’s all I can do, and that’s what I’m good at. It’s who I am, and it’s who I want to be. ”
“
Ash Barty, World Number 1 Singles Tennis ChampionYear 12: our exemplary leaders of the College
To our Class of 2021, if ever there was a cohort that embodied this year’s ‘Have a go’ mindset, it was you. From a personal perspective and as leaders of the school, you showed up each day, on campus and online, with enthusiasm, positivity and commitment. You embraced online HSC Trials and continued to connect with the school joyfully and with gratitude, even through the disappointment of losing the opportunity to celebrate your last official day as Year 12 students on campus and to farewell the school in our traditional Terms 3 and 4 events. We are incredibly proud of your HSC achievements and even prouder of how each girl has navigated her unique learning journey during two years of unprecedented challenge and uncertainty. Congratulations for staying focused on your goals and never hesitating to ‘Have a go’ at all times.
Girls, you have been exemplary role models, leading our student body with quiet confidence, dignity and drive. In your delightful, unassuming way, you have rallied the crowd and created a true sense of community in the Senior School and across the College. You have worked tirelessly, always seeking self-improvement and trusting the process and the people around you to help you get the results you set your sights on. You know exactly who you are and you’re good with that. For all the reasons above, I have chosen for you the world number one tennis champion, Ash Barty. As you embark on your exciting new journey beyond Pymble, I hope you continue to be true to yourselves and to follow your dreams.
Dr Kate Hadwen, Principal“ We want women leaders today as never before. Leaders who are not afraid to be called names and who are willing to go out and fight. I think women can save civilization. Women are persons. ”
Leadership
College Leaders
Principal: Dr K. Hadwen
Senior Deputy Principal: Mrs J. Shaw
Deputy Principal – Academic (K-12): Mr J. Raymond
Deputy Principal – Students (K-12): Ms L. Rockwell
Head of Senior School: Mrs N. Wyse
Head of Upper School: Mrs M. Boyd (Terms 1, 2 & 3), Mr T. Riley (Term 4)
Head of Middle School: Mrs J. O’Donnell
Head of Junior School: Mrs K. Brown
Head of Preparatory School: Mrs K. Ahearn
Director of Staff: Mr S. Dunk
Chief Operating Officer: Mr A. Stewart
Chief Financial Officer: Mr A. Lang
Director of Teaching and Learning: Ms P. Allen (Term 1)
Director of Teaching Excellence (K-12): Mrs M. McMahon
Director of Student Learning (Years 7-10): Mr J. Plaskett
Director of Student Learning (Years 11-12): Mrs N. Stanfield
Director – Research and Development: Dr S. Loch
Director of Innovative Learning Technologies: Mr A. England
Director of Human Resources: Mrs C. Chandler
Director – Community Engagement: Mrs K. Mancey
Director of Co-curricular Performing Arts: Mrs S. Turner
Director of Sport: Mr G. Meagher
Director of Boarding: Mrs C. Burgess
Director of Futures and Partnerships (K-12): Mr A. Kozyra
Director of Projects – Learning and Growth: Mrs K. Maksimovic
Chief People and Culture Officer: Ms Kate Rimer (Terms 3 & 4)
Director of Vision Valley: Mr S Clark
Chaplains
Rev P. Bent Rev L. Rodriguez Torres
Student Support Services
Psychological Services
Ms J. Chew (Lead – Psychological Services) (Terms 1, 2 & 3)
Mr A. Scott (Lead – Psychological Services)
Mrs K. Beard (Terms 2, 3 & 4)
Ms S. Bennett (Term 4)
Ms S. Cashel (Terms 2, 3 & 4)
Dr D. Ellis
Mrs M. Kirollos
Ms N. Reyes
Mrs F. Stemp
Teacher Growth
Ms J. Mitchell (Director of Teacher Growth (K-12)) (Terms 1, 2 & 3)
Mrs M. McMahon (Director of Teaching Excellence (K-12))
Mrs S. Clifford (Administrative Assistant)
Mrs K. O’Kelly (Futures Advisor (Years 5-12))
Ms D. Tarrant (High Potential Learning Co-ordinator)
Out of School Hours Care
Ms F. Stevenson (Co-ordinator)
Miss. A. Ibbotson (Assistant Co-ordinator/ Educational Leader)
Mrs. C. Bigham
Mrs S. Kelso Miss J. Lee
Mrs J. Mokhtar (Administrative Assistant)
Preparatory School
Mrs K. Ahearn (Head of Preparatory School) Mrs T. Frater (Deputy Head of Preparatory School) Mrs A. Anderson Miss E. Barker
Mrs M. Belle Miss S. Bhargava Miss E. Boyd
Mrs T. Burton (Terms 1, 2 & 3)
Ms C. Casey
Mrs C. Cassidy (Term 3) Mrs D. Carre (Terms 3 & 4) Mrs T. Clark Mrs M. Cook (Terms 1, 2 & 4) Miss E. Dorsen Ms T. Farlow
Mrs S. Gentle Mrs K. Giles Mrs J. Hare Mrs J. Laretive Mrs H. Lynch Mrs F. McDermott Miss S. McGeoch
Mrs A. McMahon (Administrative Assistant) Mrs C. Melrose
Miss M. Mu Sung (Terms 1 & 2)
Mrs L. Norton Mrs G. Roberts Mrs L. Tancred (Terms 3 & 4)
Mrs F. Taylor (Administrative Assistant) Ms A. To
Junior School
Mrs K. Brown (Head of Junior School)
Mrs A. Plant (Deputy Head of Junior School) (Terms 1 & 2) Ms L. Bird (Deputy Head of Junior School –Learning & Curriculum)
Mrs N. Davey (Deputy Head of Junior School – Wellbeing) Mrs V. Adamovich (Terms 1 & 2) Mrs V. Aikman
Mrs C. Anderson
Mrs J. Angus Miss C. Baker
Mr L. Byrne (Terms 1, 2 & 3)
Miss C. Cam (Administrative Assistant) (Terms 1 & 2) Mrs E. Clutterham
Leadership
STAFF 2021
Mrs E. Cotton
Ms E. Davenport
Mrs S. Day (Terms 2, 3 & 4)
Ms C. Dignam
Mrs J. Dreverman
Mrs C. Durrant
Mrs G. Falekkou-Wright (Co-ordinator)
Ms B. Garson
Miss R. Gibson
Ms A. Gordon
Mrs K. Hanson
Mrs H. Holobrodskyj
(Acting Administrative Assistant to the Head and Deputy Head of Junior School)
Mrs A. Hooper (Administrative Assistant to the Head and Deputy Head of Junior School)
Mrs C. Inchbold (Administration Assistant) (Terms 3 & 4)
Mrs M. Itzcovitz
Mrs J. King
Mrs R. Kingsell
Mrs M. Kotian
Mrs D. Lewis
Mr J. Lister (Terms 1 & 2)
Mr S. Loker
Mrs H. Marich (Terms 1, 2 & 3)
Mrs J. Meacock
Mrs M. Medeiros
Mrs M. Meyers
Mrs N. Michie
Miss J. Mitchell (Terms 1 & 2)
Mrs A. Murphy
Miss S. North (Terms 2, 3 & 4)
Mrs J. Plummer
Mrs B. Pratt
Mrs S. Recchia
Mr S. Robinson
Mrs O. Schofer
Mrs L. Sharman (Terms 2, 3 & 4)
Mrs A. Tedesco
Mr J. Turnbull
Mrs L. Tysoe
Mr M. Tyson
Mrs S. Ward
Miss S. Wells
Mrs M. Wilson
Mrs T. Wilson
Mrs N. Woodyatt (Terms 3 & 4)
Ms L. Wynne
Secondary School
Head of Senior School: Mrs N. Wyse
Deputy Head of Senior School: Miss P. Gallardo
Head of Year 12: Mrs V. Harrison, Ms G. Ventura Heads of Year 11: Mrs A. Pryor, Mr A. Heggie (Terms 3 & 4), Ms T. Mimmo
Head of Upper School: Mrs M. Boyd (Terms 1, 2 & 3), Mr T. Riley (Term 4)
Deputy Head of Upper School: Mrs M. Hunt
Heads of Year 10: Mr M. Stern, Mrs C. Foley
Heads of Year 9: Mrs K. Michie, Miss D. Beaumont
Head of Middle School: Mrs J. O’Donnell
Deputy Head of Middle School: Ms H. McNelly
Acting Deputy Head of Middle School: Mrs S. Budd (Term 4)
Head of Year 8: Mr A. Levin, Mrs S. Budd (Terms 1, 2 & 3)
Heads of Year 7: Ms M. Carr, Miss M. Lombard
Head of Secondary – Wellbeing: Mrs M. Boyd (Term 4)
English
Mrs A. Reynolds (Head of Learning Area – English) Mrs S. Budd Ms M. Carr
Dr K. French Ms J. Green
Mrs F. Hamilton
Mr A. Heggie Mrs J. Hodgson Miss K. Houghton Mrs M. Jones
Ms B. Labram
Mrs B. Lovarini Mrs K. McEvoy Mrs M. McMahon
Miss S. Nolan
Ms D. Oates
Mrs E. O’Brien
Mrs J. O’Donnell Mrs S. Raniga Mrs C. Reid Miss R. Richards
Mr M. Stern
Mrs K. Totonjian Mrs J. Torta Miss A. White (Terms 3 & 4)
Mrs N. Wyse
Geography, Business Studies & Economics
Mr T. Lucas (Head of Learning Area –Geography, Business Studies and Economics)
Mr J. Adby
Ms A. Bowler
Ms F. Cole
Mr P. Fogale
Mr R. Howells
Mr L. Hume Mrs M. Hunt
Mrs C. Louw (Terms 2, 3 & 4)
Mr G. Langford (Term 1) Mrs N. Moylan
Ms D. Owens Mrs J. Sheer Ms G. Ventura Mrs A. Wright
History, Society & Ethics
Miss C. Warth (Head of Learning Area –History, Society and Ethics)
Ms P. Allen (Term 1) Miss R. Auteri
Rev P. Bent (Chaplain)
Mrs L. Berry (Term 2) Mrs C. Burgess Mrs A. Engelen
Mr P. Fathers Mrs S. Flatt Ms C. Foley Mrs L. Kovacs
Dr S. Loch
Mr J. McDermott
Mr D. McKinlay
Mr A. Moynihan Mrs S. Nicholson Ms M. Nicolas
Mr M. Peacock
Mrs A. Pryor Mrs R. Purvis
Rev L. Rodriguez Torres (Chaplain) Dr A. Rome
Mr R. Stewart Mrs P. Thomas Mrs J. Wells Library
Mrs N. Merchant (Head of Information and Library Services) (Term 1)
Ms T. Zwar (Team Lead)
Miss D. Beaumont
Ms H. Cheng
Mr K. Dale-O’Connor Miss A. Gartland Ms J. Hibburt
Leadership
Mrs C. Louw (Term 1)
Mrs S. Patmore
Mrs J. Scott
Mrs J. Spencer
Mrs A. Wallen Mathematics
Mrs C. Kerr (Head of Learning Area – Mathematics)
Mrs C. Cooper Miss B. Davis
Mr M. Feng Mrs F. Gray Mrs D. Greenberg Mrs K. Jackson
Ms P. Kumar Mrs A. Kydd
Ms P. Lau Miss J. Lee Mrs M. Millar
Ms T. Mimmo
Mrs J. Morgan (Administrative Assistant)
Mr B. Morrison
Mrs D. Munro
Ms P. Prosser
Ms C. Smith
Mrs J. Squires
Mr P. Veliotis
Mrs M. Ward
Mr M. Way Mrs H. Wright
Modern & Classical Languages
Mrs S. Bussien (Head of Learning Area – Modern and Classical Languages)
Ms S. Centner
Mrs S. Cepraga
Mr R. Criscitelli
Mrs A. Dean (Term 4)
Mr S. Dunk Mrs M. Gee
Mrs M. Izuishi
Ms E. Lee Miss M. Lombard
Ms J. Lovell (Term 4)
Ms H. McNelly
Dr R. Ramsey (Term 1)
Mr J. Warren
Mrs A. Wawryka
Mrs S. Xie
Performing Arts
Mr M. Stafford (Head of Learning Area – Performing Arts)
Mrs S. Turner (Director of Co-curricular Performing Arts)
Ms L. Bain
Ms E. Buckley Miss K. Cluff
Mrs N. Colbey
Mrs S. Crawford
Ms S. Dunlop
Mr K. Schweinberger
Mr R. Wilcock Miss G. Uy (Administrative Assistant)
Drama
Ms T. Sweetman (Head of Drama) Ms M. Cooper-Findlay
Personal Development, Health & Physical Education
Mrs A. Cruz (Head of Learning Area – PDHPE)
Miss L. Bliss Mrs R. Carrier Mrs C. Diakoumis
Miss M. Gardiner Miss R. Haemaelaeinen Miss S. Halliday Mrs V. Harrison Miss K. Howie
Mr A. Levin Miss L. Meakin Mrs K. Richter Miss K. Stapp Miss L. Verteouris Mrs K. White Science
Dr K. Spence (Head of Learning Area – Science)
Mrs V. Agapides
Ms S. Attley
Mr G. Brennan (Lab Manager)
Dr K. Bunny
Mrs R. Campbell
Mrs K. Cooley
Mrs A. De Fraine Miss P. Gallardo
Ms S. Gooley (Term 4)
Mr P. Hare
Ms S. Haque
Mrs T. Hartkopf-Theis (Lab Assistant)
Ms B. Hessel
Mr G. Jackson Mrs J. Kennedy
Miss E. Lau
Mr C. Le Bescont
Ms L. Liao (Term 4)
Mr B. Long
Mrs E. Lyons
Mrs S. Mathis (Terms 1, 2 & 3)
Dr G. McCarthy
Mrs K. Michie
Mrs B. Phimister (Lab Assistant)
Mrs B. Pickover (Lab Assistant)
Mrs R. Rudd
Mrs A. Sargent
Mrs N. Stanfield
Miss A. Storey
Mrs L. Thompson
Mrs A. Thorne
Mrs M. Zibaei (Lab Assistant)
Technological & Applied Studies
Mr P. Ellis (Head of Learning Area –Technological and Applied Studies) Miss H. Cusiter
Mr W. Frohlich (Technical Assistant – Workshop)
Ms H. Hansby Miss L. Macaulay
Mrs A. Mead Mrs S. McCorquodale
Mrs M. Moar
Miss A. Moreton (Term 4)
Mrs M. Myles
Mrs N. Nelson
Ms E. Pracy (Terms 2, 3 & 4)
Miss R. Prouty (Term 1)
Mr J. Raymond
Ms M. Schumann
Miss B. Staniforth (Term 4)
Mrs K. Wiedemann (Technology and Applied Studies Assistant)
Visual Arts
Mrs B. Maltese
(Head of Learning Area – Visual Arts)
Miss R. Cassidy
Mr D. Del Favero
Mrs N. Easterbrook
(Visual Arts Technical Assistant and College Curator) (Terms 1, 2 & 3)
Mrs E. Frohlich
Mrs A. Hale (Visual Arts Technical Assistant) (Term 4)
Ms A. Harris
Ms K. Hassett
Mrs C. O’Regan
Leadership
Learning Support
Mrs L. Lim (Head of Learning Support)
Mrs J. Chamberlain
Mrs J. Collins
Ms E. Gray
Miss N. Kiddle
Mrs S. Lipczynski (Administrative Assistant)
Mrs A. Skyba
Ms C. Truong
Mrs H. Venkataramanan
Operational Staff
College Services
Mrs F. Scavia (Manager) (Terms 1, 2 & 3)
Miss J. Mapoon (Acting Manager) (Term 4)
Miss C. Burton
Mrs H. Cruikshank
Mrs C. Inchbold (Terms 1 & 2) Miss J. Mapoon
Executive Administration
Mrs M. Alexander (Administrative Assistant – Learning and Growth) (Terms 1 & 2) (Personal Assistant to the Deputy Principal Academic (K-12)) (Terms 3 & 4)
Ms F. Crawford (Company Secretary)
Mrs A. Chambers (Senior School Academic Administration Co-ordinator)
Mrs A. Deschamps
(Administrative Assistant –Upper School) (Term 4)
Mrs E. England
(Administrative Assistant –Student Learning) (Terms 2, 3 & 4)
Mrs S. Foley (Upper School Academic Administration Co-ordinator) (Terms 1, 2 & 3)
Mrs R. Hawkins
(Administrative Assistant – Dean of Students) (Terms 1 & 2) (Personal Assistant to the Deputy Principal Students (K-12)) (Terms 3 & 4)
Mrs B. Hickson (Administrative Assistant – Senior School)
Mrs K. Haynes (Personal Assistant –Senior Deputy Principal)
Mrs M. Lee (Executive Writer)
Mrs P. Munro (College Receptionist)
Mrs P. Rodrigues
(Administrative Assistant – Directors of Staff and Research and Development)
Mrs S. Sengupta
(Executive Assistant to the Principal)
Mrs S. Seymour (Upper School
Academic Administration Co-ordinator) (Term 4)
Mrs S. Sibug (Middle School Administrative Assistant –Project and Events)
Mrs E. Smith (Administrative Assistant –Curriculum Office) (Term 1)
Mrs T. Tysoe (Middle School Academic Administration Co-ordinator)
Mrs E. Valente (College Receptionist)
Ms R. Volonakis (Administrative Assistant – Middle School)
Mrs S. Watts (Administrative Assistant – Upper School)
Mrs P. Williams (Administrative Assistant – Senior School)
Human Resources
Mrs C. Chandler (Director of Human Resources)
Miss J. Curran (HR Co-ordinator (Recruitment and Support))
Mrs N. Farrar
(Senior Human Resources Advisor)
Miss L. Girgenti (HR Advisor –Co-curricular and Operations)
Mrs J. Morcomb (HR Co-ordinator (Systems and Reports))
Ms K. Rimer (Chief People and Culture Officer) (Terms 3 & 4)
Finance
Mr A. Lang (Chief Financial Officer)
Mrs M. Bryant (Finance Manager)
Mrs S. Clark (Senior Payroll Officer) (Term 1) Mrs E. Corderoy (Finance Officer)
Mrs Y. Dong (Payroll Assistant) (Term 2)
Ms L. Jin (Senior Payroll Officer)
Ms F. Kwang (Accounts Payable Officer)
Ms C. Liu (Payroll Assistant) (Terms 3 & 4)
Mrs M. Shashank (Financial Support Administrator)
Mrs M. Zhu (Assistant Accountant)
Risk & Compliance
Ms M. Townsend (Director of Risk and Compliance)
Information Technology
Mr A. England (Director of Innovative Learning Technologies)
Mrs S. Bahrami Jam (Database Administrator)
Mr J. Batey (Graduate Web Developer)
Mr D. Brown (Digital Learning Leader) Mr X. Cai (Infrastructure Engineer)
Mr N. Carvalheiro (Infrastructure Engineer)
Mrs B. Cassidy (Senior Digital Learning Leader)
Mr T. Cousins (Service Desk Technician)
Mr K. Griffin (Service Desk Technician)
Mr J. Irving (Audio Visual Services Co-ordinator)
Ms E. Naguit (Projects Co-ordinator)
Mr Z. Quitzau (Service Desk Technician)
Miss S. Rooney (Digital Learning Leader)
Mr I. Sandejas (Web Developer)
Mr F. Shu (Service Desk Manager)
Mr N. Zannakis (Technical Support Officer) (Terms 1 & 2)
Community Engagement
Mrs K. Mancey
(Director – Community Engagement)
Mrs V. Adamovich (Enrolments Manager K-6) (Terms 3 & 4)
Ms N. Cao (Relationship Manager) (Terms 2, 3 & 4)
Miss S. Chae (Community Events Assistant)
Mrs M. Coleman (Community Events Manager)
Mrs K. Corcoran (Alumni Relations Manager) Miss J. Davis (Community Engagement Co-ordinator)
Mrs J. Garment (Development Manager)
Mrs L. Ireland (Enrolments Co-ordinator)
Mrs S. Jurgen-Ondaatjie (Enrolments Assistant)
Mrs A. Lees (Assistant Editor) Mrs R. Pearce (Enrolments Manager 7-12) (Term 1)
Mrs M. Stalley (Digital and Social Media Specialist) Mrs C. Stock (Enrolments Manager K-6) (Terms 1 & 2) (Enrolments Manager 7-12) (Terms 3 & 4)
Ms J. Walker (Graphic Designer)
Miss L. Walker (Communications Manager) (Terms 1 & 2)
Mrs M. Wilkinson (Communications Manager) (Terms 1, 2 & 3)
Research & Development
Dr S. Loch
(Director – Research and Development)
Mrs E. O’Carroll (Archivist)
College Shop
Mrs J. Stewart (Manager)
Mrs P. Allen
Mrs M. Gigliobianco Mrs L. Gillespie Mrs F. Irish
Leadership
Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts
Mrs T. Grelis (Theatre Manager)
Mr T. Colvin
(Theatre Technician Co-ordinator) Miss Z. Reynolds (Theatre Technician)
Co-curricular Performing Arts
Mrs S. Turner (Director of Co-curricular Performing Arts)
Ms L. Bain
Miss T. Buchner
Miss E. Buckley
Mrs V. Clancy
Mrs N. Colbey (Head of Strings)
Mrs S. Crawford
Miss K. Cluff (Head of Dance)
Mr M. Dellevergin
Miss L. Dobb
Mrs S. Dunlop
Miss T. Farlow
Mrs J. Hare
Ms S. Hibburt
Mrs B. Hubbard (Head of Co-curricular Language Arts)
Ms A. Knopper (Administrative Assistant – Performing Arts)
Mrs S. Meijer
Mr K. Schweinberger (Head of Co-curricular Music)
Mr M. Stafford (Head of Bands)
Ms T. Sweetman (Head of Drama)
Miss G. Uy (Administrative Assistant – Music)
Ms S. Wells
Mr R. Wilcock
Co-curricular Sport
Mr G. Meagher (Director of Sport)
Miss K. Brodie (Terms 1 & 2)
Miss T. Calderwood
Miss A. Clark (Administrative Assistant – Co-curricular)
Mrs V. Clyne (Administrative Assistant – Artistic Gymnastics)
Miss A. Cooney
Mrs K. Edwards
Mr E. Ellwood-Hall
Mr J. Foss
Mrs T. Frost
Mr J. Garrad
Mrs A. Gestier
Mr L. Gray (Terms 3 & 4)
Mrs K. Irvine Miss K. Johnstone
Mrs C. Lang
Mr B. Lawrence
Miss R. Maenpaa
Miss K. Marvell
(Administrative Assistant)
Mrs S. Mobilia
Miss B. Moore
Miss M. O’Keeffe
Mr J. Pennington
Mr S. Pennington
Mr D. Petri
Mr S. Qu
Mr A. Raso Miss G. Rees
Mr M. Renshaw
Mr R. Rodrigues
Miss L. Speechley Miss M. Stanojlovic
Miss A. Taylor
Mrs M. Thomas
Ms D. Walsham
Mrs V. Welsh Miss A. Williams Mrs M. Zahra (Head of Co-curricular Administration)
Outdoor Education
Mr N. Wilkesmann (Head of Outdoor Education) (Terms 2, 3 & 4)
Mrs K. Groenewald (Administrator) (Terms 1, 2 & 3)
Ms D. Cahill
Miss G. Cain
Mr S. Cooke Mr C. Eckford
Vision Valley
Mr S. Clark (Director of Vision Valley)
Mr E. Allan (Terms 2, 3 & 4)
Mr S. Cooke (Terms 2, 3 & 4)
Mrs R. Pearce (Terms 2, 3 & 4)
Mr S. Sumners
Co-curricular Extended Learning
Mrs J. Olsen (Head of Extended Learning)
Mr D. Brown
Mr A. Mross Becker
Operational Services
Mr A. Stewart (Chief Operating Officer)
Mrs C. Mortlock-Chapman (Project Manager)
Mrs K. Bimson
(Project Manager – Master Planning)
Mr A. Lam (Assistant Project Manager) (Terms 3 & 4)
Mrs L. Petit (Administrative Assistant)
Mr Y. Yao Facilities
Mr M. Boyes (Campus Manager)
Mr C. Munro (Assistant Campus Manager)
Mr A. Bringolf
Mr D. Goodwin
Mr T. Kinsey (Term 4)
Mrs W. Radford (Administrative Assistant)
Ms S. Shields
Mr D. Tomlin (Term 1)
Mrs J. Wiersma (Facilities Co-ordinator)
Boarding
Mrs C. Burgess
(Director of Boarding)
Mrs K. White (Deputy Director of Boarding)
Mrs S. Dickens (Boarding Administrative Co-ordinator) (Terms 1 & 2)
Mrs H. Foord (Boarding Administrative Co-ordinator) (Terms 3 & 4)
Mrs C. Fulford (Acting House Supervisor – Goodlet) (Terms 1 & 2)
Ms A. Graham (House Supervisor –Lang) (Terms 1 & 2)
Miss K. Glover (House Supervisor –Marden) (Terms 1, 2 & 3)
Head of Year
Mrs S. Dickens (Terms 3 & 4)
Ms A. Graham (Terms 3 & 4)
Mrs G. Smith (Terms 3 & 4)
Assistant Head of Year
Ms E. Allsopp
Miss E. Behan
Ms M. Cusack
Mrs C. Fulford (Terms 3 & 4)
Mrs M. Lee (Terms 1, 2 & 3)
Mrs K. Ogilvy
Ms L. Shand
Health Care Centre
Mrs L. Green (Manager)
Mrs K. Chilton
Mrs R. Howe
(Administrative Assistant)
Mrs B. Jordan
Ms L. Rowling
Student Leadership
HEAD PREFECT’S REPORT
When Sammy and I decided on this year’s College-wide theme, ‘2021: Together as One’, we truly had no idea how fitting it would be. Inspired by ‘the wildcat spirit’ of the much-loved High School Musical franchise, we hoped that the theme would encourage all of us to grow as individuals, and as a community, to challenge the ‘status quo’, and support each other through all aspects of life at the College. Ultimately, we hoped that the theme of ‘2021: Together as One’ would encompass the Pymble that is not just a school, but a family.
But, as it often does, the Pymble community went above and beyond, and, standing on the other side of 2021, ‘Together as One’ is no longer a vision, but a reality, proven by the incredible Pymble community that endured yet another year of COVID-19 lockdowns, and countless other challenges. ‘Together as One’ encapsulates what we love so much about the College; the resilience of our staff and students, and the passion and determination that has characterised our community throughout this year.
Whether it was by installing a 12-foot Christmas tree in the Senior School Centre, through inter-school sporting tournaments, or the legendary Pymlympics, it was an honour to work alongside our inspired prefect body as we launched initiatives that promoted the cultivation of the Pymble spirit, both in person, and later, across the distance, with the re-launching of Pymble Online in Term 3.
To the Class of 2021
While the days of the atrium and the Senior School Centre seem somewhat of a distant memory, those memories are eternalised in the love, support and kindness that has defined our cohort, not just in 2021, but throughout our time at the College.
Thanks
We are beyond grateful for our Pymble staff, especially Dr Hadwen for her constant encouragement and leadership as well as Mrs Shaw, Mrs Rockwell, Mr Raymond and Mrs Boyd for their uplifting presence and passionate guidance both on campus and online.
The students and teachers of Pymble will forever be my favourite part of the 13 years I have spent at the College, and 2021 was a testament to that. And so, as we enter the next phase of our lives, we know that it will not be on our own, in that, while we may move far beyond the College gates, we do so together as one. After all, once a Pymble girl, always a Pymble girl.
Priya Mehra, Head PrefectPriya Mehra, Year
After all, once a Pymble girl, always a Pymble girl.
Student Leadership
DEPUTY HEAD PREFECT’S REPORT
2021 was a unique year filled with many successes, challenges and opportunities. Each and every girl overcame countless frustrations, but thanks to Pymble’s great planning and innovation was able to participate in seamless online schooling and still thrive in her academic, sporting, musical and wellbeing pursuits. Most importantly, while we had a very challenging year, we continued to feel the support and acceptance of our wonderful Pymble community.
‘Together as One’, this is what we’ve done ...
Priya and I started our year by organising ‘Kristmas in the KM’ at the end of Term 4 2020. With the help of all of the prefects and the Senior School staff, we decorated the Senior School building with bunting, banners and, the pièce de résistance, a huge Christmas tree.
Next came the Knox Pymble Netball tournament. It was a thrilling showdown between the Pymble and Knox Year 12 teams in the Knox Great Hall. A truly fun night filled with school spirit and healthy rivalry. In the end Knox came away with a narrow win, but I am sure the result will be different next time!
Term 3 saw the return of online schooling. However, that didn’t stop the staff and prefects from organising some fun and engaging activities to get everyone involved from home. Pymlympics was launched and provided students with the opportunity to get involved in a range of activities including baking, walking for exercise and wellbeing and sending well wishes in a card to a neighbour. This initiative allowed everyone to stay connected regardless of the physical separation we felt and showcased the strength and perseverance of the Pymble community.
Thank You
We would also like to thank Mrs Wyse, Mrs Gallardo, Ms Ventura and Mrs Harrison for their support, strength and compassion, so valued by us all, particularly during lockdown. In partnership you held Year 12 together and we will be forever grateful. To Reverend Rodriguez Torres and Reverend Bent, thank you for always putting a smile on our faces and showing us the light.
To the class of 2021, thank you so much for making this such an amazing year despite our physical separation during our last term.
You are all so special, kind and generous and I am excited to see how you will take the self-belief and skills nurtured at Pymble and go forward and change the world. We have all been so lucky to be part of such a supportive and empowering school and I am thankful to have been on this journey with each and every one of you. After all, “once a wildcat, always a wildcat”.
Samantha Guthrie, Deputy Head PrefectStudent Leadership
PREFECT CO-ORDINATORS’ REPORT
This year the 2021 Prefect body made a lasting impact on the Pymble community. Inspired by our theme ‘Together as One’ the 2021 prefects began to build our legacy of teamwork.
For us, communication with each prefect group was important to make sure we could maximise our impact on the school. Thus, we held meetings fortnightly where we discussed the best ways to creatively present and develop new initiatives to share joy and build connections throughout the school.
Our first collaborative initiative was our ‘Kristmas in the KM’ in Term 4. Subsequently, the prefects helped out the Student Representative Council (SRC) with their Valentine’s initiative, supported activities at the Have a Go Expo, celebrated performances at PAC and provided support to all areas of the school. As well as this, the prefects continued to work together through the challenges of the online Pymlympics to get the younger girls excited to participate.
Prefect Afternoon Tea
One of the most significant events for the prefects was Pymble’s Prefect Afternoon Tea where prefects from nearby schools came to join us for a fully packed afternoon.
With our theme of Easter, our guests were welcomed by an abundance of food, drinks and decorations before an Easter egg hunt spread across the school grounds and an entertaining round of trivia. This was a great way for all the prefects to mingle, develop teamwork skills and build their networks!
Student Leadership
Initiatives
In order to spread the spirit of giving, love and gratitude throughout the student body, this year the SRC ran two fundraising initiatives, a Candy Cane Exchange and ‘Galentine’s Day’ celebration, in which Secondary School students and teachers could gift candy canes and chocolate roses to each other for $1 each, with all the proceeds going to the McGrath Foundation.
Digital News
A central part of our vision for the SRC was the revival of Digital News, a student-produced video series aimed at promoting events and telling stories from around the campus in a fun and humorous way. From our first episode which inaugurated the 2021 prefect body with an Olympicthemed montage to the creation of the mystery series ‘Digital Clues’, Digital News became a highly anticipated aspect of Secondary School assemblies which we thoroughly enjoyed creating.
SRC Collaboration
Vision
This year, our vision for the Student Representative Council (SRC) was to enhance the College experience by cultivating a cohesive student identity based upon values of compassion and sisterhood. Our initiatives, met with great participation amongst Secondary School students and teachers alike, were successful in promoting a spirit of unity as well as raising approximately $2,000 for our school charity, the McGrath Foundation. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Ms Rockwell and Mrs Hawkins whose indefatigable support and encouragement made our accomplishments possible.
We worked with the outgoing 2020 representatives to create a comfortable and positive culture within the SRC which not only facilitated the effective functioning of the council itself but fostered the development of our 2021 representatives’ leadership and collaborative skills. We encouraged the representatives to contribute any ideas, no matter how big or small, to our committee-wide discussions and talked about numerous ideas including placing students’ year of graduation on their ID cards and fundraising events for the COVID-19 crisis in India.
It was a privilege to work with so many caring, creative and confident girls as a part of the SRC.
Ashley Chen, Student Representative Council President STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL REPORT Alessandra Natale, Student Representative Council Vice PresidentTECHNOLOGIES CAPTAINS’ REPORT
As the Captains of Technologies, our role at the school was to promote responsible, empowered and safe use of technology for all girls. We kick-started this mission with the first Pymble Tech Run – a scavenger hunt held for Secondary School girls involving QR codes with riddles and four stations with challenges to solve. It was great to see the enthusiasm of all the teams involved, with lots of running, shouting and cheering heard throughout the whole event. The main objective of this initiative was to promote a positive interface between digital devices and physical activity.
We also ran a Tech Club this year in which students had the opportunity to increase their digital literacy in programs like Adobe Photoshop and YouTube.
With technology becoming increasingly integrated into our everyday lives, we believe it is essential that girls feel empowered and confident navigating the digital world and learn to establish healthy relationships with their technology.
Eisha Bhardwaj and Amber Cai, Captains of TechnologiesStudent Leadership
As much as providing a stronger student voice to the community is amazing, it is equally as important to improve the communication between students themselves. With this in mind, we took charge of the Pymble prefects’ Instagram account, consistently posting and updating throughout the year. Since our page is exclusively ‘student followers only’, we had so much fun designing colourful, creative posts and including memes that adults just wouldn’t understand. Many students commented on these, cheered on their friends who were featured in our posts and shared their excitement for future activities. We covered many different events, such as sports carnivals, International Women’s Day and even House tug-of-war competitions. The highlights feature was great fun, as students can now look back on some of the awesome events of the year. This platform also proved to be very helpful in advertising upcoming events, especially the range of online activities during lockdown in Term 3.
STUDENT COMMUNICATIONS CAPTAINS’ REPORT
We were very excited to take on the challenge of the entirely new prefect positions, the Captains of Student Communications. We were well supported by staff members, who really believed in the importance of student voice. So, that was our goal this year; to find innovative ways and platforms to increase student voice across the College.
Weekly Newsletter
One of these platforms was the weekly newsletter, The College Compass. Starting our own column meant that each week we could write articles about absolutely anything we desired. This included ‘Day in the life’ videos, Q&As with Preparatory School students and even a section called ‘Pymble’s Best-Kept Secrets’. Uncovering these secrets, such as the Natural Skincare group, lunchtime student-run activities and the Book Club, exposed us and our readers to the hidden wonders of our College. We met so many students and staff members whilst interviewing for our articles and looked forward to writing these each week.
The Pymble Pod
The College’s new podcast, which became known as The Pymble Pod, was undoubtedly one of the most exciting parts of our roles as Communication Prefects. Our aim in creating this podcast team was to utilise technology and storytelling to create tighter bonds within our community. Students were able to vote on the name and even participate as hosts. Fifteen hosts in total were recruited across the Secondary School to ensure student voice could be heard from every year group. The podcast framework itself was inspired by the College’s strategic plan, with four different series: Academic Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence, Digital Intelligence and Social Intelligence. At the time of writing, two episodes have been published titled ‘All Things Science’ and ‘Self-Love’.
Student Magazine Committee
Our final venture this year was the reinvention of this publication, The Magazine. After many meetings with staff members and the help of our excellent mentor Mrs Lee, we were able to launch a Student Magazine Committee. This involved 25 students from Years 7 to 11 who worked incredibly hard to interview, source information and write many of these articles. We are incredibly proud of the changes our team made.
We can’t wait to see how the platforms we created this year will evolve in the future.
Student Leadership
STUDENT LEADERS 2021
Head Prefect Priya Mehra
Deputy Head Prefect Samantha Guthrie
Boarding Head Prefect Ella Jones
Boarding Deputy Head Prefect Brianna Kierath
Captains of Sport Alice Dixon, Shivani Mehta
Captains of Music Clare Macpherson, Tara Narayan
Captains of Performing Arts Amy Jarvis, Alyssa Vardy
Captains of Academic Learning Esther Choi, Alexandra Whittingham
Student Representative Council President Ashley Chen Student Representative Council Vice President Alessandra Natale House Co-ordinators Claudia Braysich, Eloise Jones
Prefect Co-ordinators Serena Kao, Alice Walker
Captains of Community Service Alison Cook, Elizabeth Gan
Captain of Community Service K-6 Hannah Grogan
Captains of the Environment Tess Rickard, Rose Tate
Captain of the Environment K-6 Isabelle Jimenez
Captains of Intercultural Connections Katherine Gibson, Claudia Vowels
Captains of Student Communications Monique Goyen, Rachel Kang
Captains of Experiential Learning Bethany Fratzia, Emma Peters
Captain of Experiential Learning K-6 Emily Ji
Captains of Technologies Eisha Bhardwaj, Amber Cai
Captains of Wellbeing Sarah Chan, Tania Jashnany, Tania Yam
School Liaison Prefects
Preparatory School Liaison Prefects Halle De Souza, Jessica Lin, Emily Oppenheim
Junior School Liaison Prefects Eli Bass, Elizabeth Glenn, Chanelle Ratnam
Middle School Liaison Prefects June Kim, Laura Papworth, Lucy Small
Upper School Liaison Prefects Karenza Griffiths, Pragya Mehta, Emma Sullivan
Senior School Liaison Prefects Emma Reidy, Tiana Zarafetas
House Captains
Bennett
Captain Louisa Mitchell Deputy Captain Alexis Cameron Goodlet
Captain Sophie Chamberlain Deputy Captain Georgina Seymour Hammond Captain Megan Buson Deputy Captain Shreya Rutnam Ingleholme
Captain Lauren Geddes Deputy Captain Danielle Rusman
Lang Captain Samantha Connellan Deputy Captain Marguerite Andrews
Marden Captain Jessica Tyson Deputy Captain Ella Koster Thomas Captain Ilani Roder Deputy Captain Mia De Riz Wylie Captain Jessica Davidson Deputy Captain Siobhan Dubois
Service Prefects
Nicola Angus, Charlotte Armstrong, Jemma Baldwin, Danielle Cheung, Georgia Degotardi, Lauren Eyers, Nicola Farquharson, Emily Farrall, Victoria Graves, Helena Ji, Annabel Johns, Hana Kassam, Sophia Quah, Emily Schliebs, Eugenia Sung, Chelsea Taylor, Mackenzie Watkins, Michelle Yeom, Elizabeth Zhu Chan
Boarding House Positions
Boarding House Liaison Boarding Prefect Greta Roberts
Boarding Global Awareness Prefect Stephanie Chan
Boarding Social Inclusion Prefect Tiarn Wilesmith
Boarding Communications Prefect Sophie Graham
Boarding Sport and the Arts Prefect Lucy Small
Boarding Wellbeing Prefect Lauren Sevil
Student Leadership
Front Row: Annabel Johns, Nicola Farquharson, Victoria Graves, Esther Choi, Monique Goyen, Priya Mehra, Dr Kate Hadwen (Principal), Samantha Guthrie, Shreya Rutnam, Emily Farrall, Chanelle Ratnam, Stephanie Chan, Lauren Eyers
Second Row: Tania Yam, Halle De Souza, Emma Sullivan, Amy Jarvis, Chelsea Taylor, Emma Reidy, Georgia Degotardi, Lauren Geddes, Shivani Mehta, Danielle Rusman, Elizabeth Glenn, Amber Cai
Third Row: Eloise Jones, Charlotte Armstrong, Sarah Chan, Emily Ji, Serena Kao, Jessica Lin, Alyssa Vardy, Eli Bass, Ashley Chen, Bethany Fratzia, Megan Buson, Tiana Zarafetas, Alexandra Whittingham
Fourth Row: Mia De Riz, Samantha Connellan, Elizabeth Zhu Chan, Emily Schliebs, Katherine Gibson, Tania Jashnany, Pragya Mehta, Michelle Yeom, Eugenia Sung, Mackenzie Watkins, Hana Kassam, Jessica Davidson
Fifth Row: Sophie Chamberlain, Rachel Kang, June Kim, Isabelle Jimenez, He lena Ji, Alessandra Natale, Claudia Braysich, Clare Macpherson, Karenza Griffiths, Danielle Cheung, Ella Jones, Lauren Sevil, Lucy Small
Sixth Row: Jemma Baldwin, Alexis Cameron, Tiarn Wilesmith, Claudia Vowels, Laura Papworth, Siobhan Dubois, Elizabeth Gan, Sophia Quah, Brianna Kierath, Hannah Grogan, Emma Peters, Eisha Bhardwaj
Back Row: Sophie Graham, Marguerite Andrews, Georgina Seymour, Alison Cook, Tara Narayan Seventh Row: Ella Koster, Rose Tate, Tess Rickard, Ilani Roder, Alice Dixon, Alice Walker, Greta Roberts, Nicola Angus, Emily Oppenheim, Jessica Tyson, Louisa Mitchell
Preparatory SCHOOL
Lakey Boyes, Clarisse Chan and Ellie He,Kindergarten
POETRY – SPRING POEMS
I can hear the flowers swishing.
I can see the birds flying over the trees.
I can feel the smooth tree.
I can smell the flower’s pollen.
I can taste sweet honey.
Olivia Huang, KT
I can feel the wind.
I can hear the wind whispering to me.
I can smell flowers.
I can taste fruit.
Ariel Wang, KT
I can see trees.
I can smell nature.
I can hear birds.
I can feel the warm sun.
I can taste carrots from the garden.
I love spring.
Tabitha de Bilde, KT
I can see the sun.
I can hear a bee buzz.
I can feel the wind.
I can smell flowers.
I can taste mango.
Teresa Zhang, KT
I can see the flowers blooming.
I can see the birds flying.
I can hear the bees buzzing.
I can feel the warm sun.
I can smell the red roses.
I can smell the beautiful flowers.
I love spring!
Aimee Pan, KN
I can hear a bird chirping.
I can see some fresh new green leaves growing.
I can feel the warm sun.
I can smell fresh flowers.
I love spring!
Charlotte Wang, KN
I can hear bees buzzing.
I can see bunnies jumping.
I can play with pets.
I can smell flowers.
I love spring!
Chloe Yu, KN
I can hear birds singing.
I can see flying birds and rainbows.
I can feel the wind and the sun.
I can smell flowers.
I love spring!
Kaymi Madugalle Wijeratne, KN
I can see flowers blooming and rainbows in the sky.
I can hear children playing and birds chirping.
I can feel the warm sun in the sky.
I can smell delicious fruits and vegetables.
I can taste sweet ice cream.
I love spring!
Mischa Jadav, KW
I can see butterflies flying.
I can see grass moving.
I can hear the wind blowing.
I can smell sweet roses.
I can taste yummy ice cream.
I love spring!
Isabel Chang, KW
I can see flowers.
I can hear bees buzzing.
I can smell the fresh air.
I can feel the warm sun.
I can taste fresh honey.
Isla Morrison, KS
I can see flowers.
I can hear bees buzzing.
I can smell fresh flowers.
I can feel the soft grass.
I can taste an ice cream.
Chloe Chen, KS
Kindergarten
NARRATIVE
The Dogs
The dogs were playing in the park. When the dogs finished catching each other they played fetch! The dogs then ran into the kitchen and ate some chocolate and ate all of it! Then the dogs felt sick. Their names were Justin and the other one was Jeremy, and they were very cheeky!
Jelena Peng, KNSpring Poems
I can see butterflies flying.
I can hear birds chirping.
I can feel the warmth of the sun on my cheeks.
I can smell fresh cut grass.
I can taste sweet ice cream.
I love spring!
Evelyn Zhu, KW
I can see butterflies, trees, rainbows and flowers.
I can hear birds chirping, bees buzzing and the wind blowing.
I can feel grass, trees and the warmth of the sun on my cheek.
I can smell ice cream, flowers and fresh air.
I can taste the delicious ice cream.
I love spring!
Olivia Guo, KWI can see bunnies hopping.
I can hear bees buzzing.
I can smell flowers blooming.
I can feel the petals.
I can taste fresh mango. Li-Ya Koo, KS
Kindergarten
POETRY – FATHER’S DAY POEMS
My dad is as brave as a lion. My dad is as strong as a cat.
My dad is as funny as a clown.
My dad is as special as a rose.
My love for my dad is as big as Jupiter.
I love my dad!
Hillary Yip, KW
My dad is as brave as a lion. My dad is as strong as Hulk.
My dad is as funny as a clown.
My dad is as special as a diamond.
My love for my dad is as big as the universe.
I love my dad!
Audrey Conn, KW
My dad is as brave as a knight.
My dad is as strong as a dinosaur.
My dad is as funny as a clown.
My dad is as special as a snowflake.
My love for my dad is as big as Jupiter.
I love my dad!
Olivia Xue, KW
My dad is as brave as a lion. My dad is as strong as a superhero. My dad is as funny as a clown. My dad is as special as a snowflake.
My love for my dad is as big as the sky.
I love my dad!
Poppy Zhu, KW
My dad is as brave as me on a big slide.
My dad is as strong as a house. My dad is as funny as James Corden.
My dad is as special as a crown.
My love for my dad is as big as the sun and the universe.
Aviana Faraz, KT
My dad is as brave as a weightlifter.
My dad is as strong as Sam Kerr.
My dad is as funny as a clown.
My dad is as special as 100 love hearts.
My love for my dad is as big as the Blue Mountains.
Siena Cassidy, KT
My dad is as brave as a lion and a bee.
My dad is as strong as a house and a tree.
My dad is as funny as a clown.
My dad is as special as a flower and a rainbow.
My love for my dad is as big as mountains.
Selena Rezaei, KT
My dad is as brave as a firefighter climbing up a hill.
My dad is as strong as the ocean.
My dad is as funny as a clown and a monkey.
My dad is as special as my own castle.
My love for my dad is as big as space.
Camilla Yan, KT
My dad is as brave as a bear.
My dad is as strong as a lion.
My dad is as funny as a clown.
My dad is as special as a gold medal.
My love for my dad is as big as the sun.
Echo Rao, KN
My dad is as brave as a lion.
My dad is as strong as a hammer.
My dad is as funny as a clown.
My dad is as special as a unicorn.
My love for my dad is as big as a castle.
Sienna Cheng, KN
My dad is as brave as a meerkat.
My dad is as strong as a gorilla.
My dad is as funny as a monkey.
My dad is as special as a present.
My love for my dad is as big as a giant.
Mia Whitehead, KN
My dad is as brave as a shark.
My dad is as strong as superman.
My dad is as funny as a clown.
My dad is as special as a present.
My love for my dad is as big as a dinosaur.
Chloe Xu, KN
My dad is as brave as a fire fighter.
My dad is as strong as a bear.
My dad is as funny as a clown.
My dad is as special as money.
My love for my dad is as big as the whole world!
Elena Zhou, KS
PROCEDURES
How to Make Fairy Bread
Spread the butter on the toast.
Sprinkle the sprinkles on top.
Cut the bread.
Eat the fairy bread and enjoy.
Sarah Kitzing, KS
Spread the butter on the bread.
Sprinkle the sprinkles on the butter.
Then cut the bread in half to make triangles.
Eat and enjoy your fairy bread!
Mila Li, KN
How to Make Lemonade
Squeeze the lemon.
Put the sugar in the jug.
Pour in the water.
Stir the lemonade.
Drink the lemonade. Adaline Li, KS
Kindergarten Artworks
Kindergarten Artworks
Kindergarten Artworks
NARRATIVE WRITING
The Magic Poster
“ROAR!” yelled Sophie as she played with Steggy her toy stegosaurus. Knock, knock went the door. “Sophie, I have a gift for you,” said Nan as she handed Sophie a poster of Dinosaur Land. “Thank you!” cried Sophie as she took the poster. “This is your new home!” said Sophie as she put Steggy in front of the poster.
The next morning Sophie woke up early to play with Steggy, but he was gone. She looked everywhere but could not find him. Then to her amazement she saw him in the poster! “That’s impossible!” she screamed as she touched it in surprise. WOOSH…she got sucked into the poster and found herself standing in Dinosaur Land.
Then to her amazement she saw him in the poster!
In Dinosaur Land Sophie saw beautiful green fields and strange dark woods. She started looking for Steggy but all of a sudden, she tripped over and fell into a smelly swamp. As she tried to escape the sticky mud a giant T-Rex appeared and stomped towards Sophie. “Help!” she cried as the huge beast approached her.
Just as the T-Rex was about to chomp Sophie’s head off, Steggy sprang out of the bushes and knocked the T-Rex into the swamp. He then used his tail to pull Sophie out of the mud.
Steggy looked at Sophie and smiled as a spinning portal opened up around them and sucked them back home.
Wow! There once was a girl named Sophie and she loved dinosaurs. One day her Nanna gave her a poster of Dinosaur Land. She put her toy Steggy in front of the poster.
The next morning Sophie woke up and found that Steggy was in her poster! She touched the poster and disappeared into Dinosaur Land! She was shocked.
Then Sophie explored Dinosaur Land but… she got stuck in a big swamp. The T-Rex tried to attack Sophie in the big swamp, but she didn’t get caught. Phew! She was scared!
Steggy saved Sophie from the swamp by scooping her up with his big head. The T-Rex ran away.
When they returned home, Sophie told her mum about it. Her mum didn’t believe her. But it was true because Steggy still had mud on his spikes!
Jianing Li, 1NIn a not so far away town lived a girl called Sophie. She loved dinosaurs. She was crazy about them! Then her Nana gave Sophie a poster of Dinosaur Land. Sophie loved it. She hung it in her bedroom. She had a toy dinosaur called Steggy.
One night Sophie woke up from her bed. She looked up at the sky and saw a crescent moon and she also saw the brightest star she had ever seen. She walked towards the poster and opened it because she saw something glittering inside. Suddenly a gust of wind blew and then she was transported to Dinosaur Land. Sophie was wondering where she was. Then she looked around and she saw footprints that were huge. Then she got stuck in a swamp and she saw a T-Rex charging towards her like a bull. Sophie was terrified…
Priscilla Fang, 1NThe Bush Walk Creek trickling past. Wild birds use trees for shelter. Splashing muddy path. Gretel Cheng, 1T
Winter Winter is freezing, People wear lots of warm clothes. Time to ski and skate.
Nadya Faheem, 1T
Quokkas
Quokkas have brown fur. Quokkas are fluffy and cute. Quokkas are friendly.
Alice Deutscher, 1T
Horses Beautiful horses. Horse gallops through the paddock. Munching on apples. Claudia Hoch, 1T
Flowers
Flowers pink and white. Petal carpet and messy. Beautiful droppings. Zara Jacob, 1S Spring Butterflies flying. Birds are singing and dancing. Spring is coming soon.
Aimee Qiu, 1S
Waterfall
A beautiful drop. Crashing down into quiet blue. Silence, calming, still. Ivy Dimovski, 1N
Koi
Graceful swimming fish. Streaks of orange, red and white. Gliding left and right.
Lia Sloane, 1N
The Ocean
Very loud waves crash. Watery and sandy soft. Lots of kids playing. Arya Raman, 1N
Rose
Rose is beautiful. Colours of pink, red, yellow. Fragrant rose petal. Grace Li, 1W
Flowers
Colourful flowers. Butterfly around the blooms. Smelling nice and sweet. Sabrina Zhao, 1W
Sizzling Starts
“Zip, zap, ZOOM!” I screamed as I zoomed across the forest sky. I hung on to my rope as tightly as I could.
Rachel Zhang, 1W
“OMG!” I screamed to Cottonball. “I think I saw something down there. Can you see it? It looks like it’s dangerous, what could it be?”
Mia Bai, 1W
NARRATIVE WRITING
The Magic Poster
Sophie loves dinosaurs more than anything else. She is sad that they don’t exist anymore. On her sixth birthday, Nanna gives her a scroll. Sophie unrolled it, and to her surprise, it was a poster of Dinosaur Land. Sophie put it on the wall immediately, she just couldn’t wait to put Steggy, her pet stegosaurus, in front of the poster. “Goodnight, Steggy, hope you like your new home!” said Sophie. The next morning, the first thing Sophie does is to check how Steggy is going. But no one is in front of the poster anymore. At that moment, she finds the grass and ferns are waving and the stream is flowing. She hears a roaring sound; it is Steggy walking towards the stream. She couldn’t help touching it. Then a magical thing happens, she is transported to Dinosaur Land!
Rayna Zhou, 1WYear 1 Artworks
Year 1 Artworks
PERSUASIVE WRITING
I strongly believe that children should watch TV
Firstly, TV helps children’s imaginations to become better. For example, if a child watches a show about a superhero, they might create his or her own superhero by using their imagination.
Secondly, if children watch a TV show that they really enjoyed, then they would like to read the book about the show. For example, I watched a show called Descendants which is about children of fairytale characters, and I really liked it. I told my mum that I wanted to read the book series of it, and so I’m reading the book right now.
Finally, children get news from TV. They can know about what is happening in the world like the Tokyo Olympics.
These are the reasons why children should be allowed to watch TV.
Tiana Zhang, 2W
You should travel to this place
People should go to Hawaii. However, most people go to other countries. These are some reasons why you should go to Hawaii!
Firstly, you can have fun on the beach. Secondly, you can relax and enjoy delicious smoothies. Finally, you can stay in a hotel on an island. That is why you should go to Hawaii!
Evelyn Lu, 2N
Children should stop watching television
Reason 1: Watching television is very bad for eyesight.
Reason 2: Their brain will be stuffed with not useful information.
Reason 3: They will be very lazy and only sit and watch television.
I think we should not watch television because then we don’t do fun things like dancing and meeting friends.
Bhuvika Bhatia, 2N
Why we need to care about recycling
Recycling is important. It is extremely dangerous for the animals to have trash lying around. Recycling is the most important thing when Earth’s sea creatures are starting to disappear because of trash! Turtles think plastic bags are jellyfish and eat them. The Earth will not like it and no-one cleans up after you. That is why recycling is so important. Ivy Li, 2N
PERSUASIVE WRITING
My favourite toy got thrown out!
Dear Mum and Dad, Why would you throw away Snowy and Fluffy? You know that I got Fluffy from my piano teacher and now you threw her away. I feel extremely angry you threw Snowy away. She is my favourite toy to keep me calm and away from scary dreams.
Now life has definitely changed without them. I have been so angry and tired of trying to find them. They are so soft and cuddly, what do you want me to do without them?
Without them who will keep me away from monsters in my dreams? Who will play with me?
From your very distraught and disappointed Izzy.
Isabella Wang, 2N
Dear Mum and Dad,
It is so cruel to throw away my precious Barbie doll. My first reason is that you could have just told me, and I would have said goodbye. Secondly, treat me how you want to be treated, and I am very disappointed in you. Finally, it’s horrible to be throwing my toy out.
From your disappointed daughter.
Isabelle La, 2N
Writing
The Riverbed
I hear birds chirping and singing, and wind blowing slowly in the air. I can see the beautiful flowers whooshing around and brown sticks. In the air I can smell nature and wetness. I can touch leaves and rocks.
I feel calm because I get to make powder when I visit the Riverbed.
Mikayla Ho, 2W
My Spring Holiday Recount
As I whoosh past the houses on my bike, I can see beautiful bright flowers and plants. It is as if I am speeding past a small forest filled with flowers. I stop quickly to find my water bottle in my backpack. As I gulp it down, I feel energy bursting all through my body. I can hear the high pitched chirping noises from the birds nearby. It sounds like an unfinished melody. I can smell chips from the café nearby as the wind pushes it towards me.
Emily Long, 2N
POETRY
Simile Poems – My Family
A pot of gold at the end of a rainbow isn’t as special as my family.
My mum’s eyes are as brown as a chocolate bar, her hugs are as warm as a fluffy coat. She is as kind and thoughtful as a volunteer, and as knowledgeable as a calculator.
My daddy has bright blue eyes like blueberries, and cooks tastier meals than the best chef in the world. He is a faster swimmer than Adam Peaty at the Olympics.
My favourite sport is tennis, and my hair is as yellow as the sun. I think pizza is yummier than chocolate.
My family is the most important thing to me. I love my family more than my birthday.
Elyséa Jones, 2W
My family is as respectful as a nurse with a very sick patient, Together we are as strong as a bear and as big as an elephant.
My family is like a garden blossoming together.
My mum is like a sunflower. She who shines in the sun and is bright and sunny.
My brother Ryan is like a rose. He is beautiful and handsome but can be a little bit prickly sometimes.
My brother Robby is like a tulip. He likes to be wrapped up, but he spreads love as well.
My dad is like a daisy. He is beautiful and stunning and shines in the wind.
My grandpa is like a lily. He is wonderful and great and beautiful.
My grandma is like a waterlily. She floats in the water and shines with beauty.
My love for my family is as a strong as the wind on the ocean. It is as beautiful as a whole bunch of water lilies floating on the pond.
Isabel Khattar, 2T
My family is as special as a golden jewel shining brilliantly in a sea of darkness leading me to a safe shelter.
My mum is like a kitten. She likes to keep clean and is easily lovable. She is always venturing further like a tiger searching for food.
My dad is as funny and silly as a clown. He is kind like a cloud and as nice as a tulip.
My brother is as clever as a pigeon. He is as wonderful as a triple rainbow on a sunny day. He is also as curious as a wombat.
I am a freezing temperature like an icicle but can be thawed by fire in my heart. They say I am as beautiful as the brightest star in the sky and as good as an angel.
Together, we make mistakes, but we can still conquer all evil.
Sarah Lu, 2T
My mum is as educated as a dolphin and as beautiful as a peacock.
My dad is as funny as a gorilla and teaches me piano.
My puppy is as fat as a pig.
I have straight black hair. I am friendly like a sunshine machine. I am as cheeky as a monkey.
Together my family care and love each other with all our heart and protect each other like the police.
Audrey Chen, 2S
Personification Poems
The trees were growing whilst jumping out of their seeds. The plants drooped down sadly and swayed slowly.
The rain sang a beautiful song. The vine hung tightly to the tree like a monkey, so I couldn’t fall off. The bush danced gracefully like a swan.
The birds chattered like chatter boxes. The bees buzzed tiredly carrying the heavy honey back to the hive. The monkeys did a dance whilst the snake slithered slowly towards its prey.
Lora Guo, 2W
The wet trees danced in the wind as if they were doing ballet. Birds sang a beautiful tune and the animals clapped when the song finished.
The hot sun smiled down at the colourful flowers, making them impatiently bloom with happiness.
Wind flew across the rainforest and laughed loudly. Mushrooms danced their way over the wet land. Snakes slithered quickly, racing through the dirt to catch their prey.
Emma Feng, 2W
The sun happily smiles down at us.
The waves strongly push the clever surfers off their surfboards and dance to the crashing beat.
The beach towels sunbathe.
The sand jumps up and down as people flick the sand in the air.
The crab rudely pinches at my arm.
Spring is here, see the dancing trees. Believe the running leaves, the flowers giggling and smiling, Hatching chicks and building new bricks, Spring really is here!
Emma Feng, 2T
The snow in winter is dancing to the floor as the wind blows fiercely and chases us home.
The ice falls like stone, crashing to the ground.
In autumn, the wind forces the leaves to fly off the trees and wave to us all. In summer the sun smiles at us from the dancing and shimmering water at the beach.
In springtime the growing flowers burst into song as they bloom.
Vivian Wang, 2TOpposites Day Poems
It’s Opposite Day, it’s Opposite Day!
The day to do things the opposite way!
I unfold the sheets when I am meant to be folding them.
I drop the ball when I need to pick it up.
I sleep on the hard cold desk and write in my soft bouncy bed.
I go to the cold snowy mountains when I am hot and the pool when it is cold.
I run slowly in the race and run fast beside the pool when I should walk.
It’s Opposite Day, it’s Opposite Day!
Oh wait, that’s not right, I think I should change it to Opposite Night!
Maya Sharafian, 2T
It’s Opposite Day! It’s Opposite Day!
The day to do things the opposite way!
I put my coat on when I am hot and put on my t-shirt when I am cold.
I am happy when I am sad and sad when I am happy. My pillow is hard and my table is soft.
An elephant is small and a mouse is big.
The road is bumpy and tyres are smooth.
The rain is dry and the sun is wet.
It’s Opposite Day. Oh wait. That’s not right! I think we should change it to Opposite Night!
Lauren Hoch, 2S
It’s Opposite Day! It’s Opposite Day!
The day to do things the opposite way!
I open the book when I’m not reading it but close it when I am reading it. I cry when I’m happy and I smile when I am sad.
I sleep in the day and wake up in the night, that’s how Opposite Day works. I put a jumper on when I am burning hot and I take off my clothes when I’m freezing.
I walk on my hands and use my foot to write. I walk out of the room when it’s time to stay and stay when it’s time to go.
Bye now and try saying ‘hi’ backwards ‘eyb’ – that means bye.
Candice Li, 2S
It’s Opposite Day, it’s Opposite Day!
The day to do things the opposite way!
I go to the beach when it’s freezing cold and I go to the snow in the heat.
I close the door when I want to come in, and I kick with my hands and paddle with my feet when I swim!
It’s Opposite Day, it’s Opposite Day! Oh wait, that’s not right, I think we should change it to Opposite Night!
Scarlett Qiu, 2T
Limerick
There once was a man from Spain, Who always fell over with pain, He tried to be brave, But fell into a cave, And the cave was full of rain!
Bella Geng-Yang, 2TSpringtime Sensory Poem
Spring tastes like sweet flowers. Spring smells like mint leaves. Spring feels like spiky, green grass.
Spring looks like beautiful flowers blooming.
Spring sounds like birds singing in the trees.
Isla Lu, 2T
Easter Sensory Poems
Easter looks like smiles on faces from lots of fun!
Easter sounds like laughter, joy and more fun.
Easter smells like delicious chocolate and cream.
Easter feels like happiness, calm and excitement.
Easter tastes like rich, creamy chocolate cookies.
I love Easter because it is fun to hunt Easter eggs and chocolate is yummy!
Kaylee Tian, 2T
Easter looks like bunches of excited kids playing in the playground.
Easter sounds like children laughing and dancing.
Easter smells like delicious chocolate. Easter feels like sweetness.
Easter tastes like yummy chocolate, lollies and cookies.
I love Easter because of the Easter egg hunt!
Emily Pu, 2TYear 2 Artworks
Year 2 Artworks
Year 2 Artworks
Athletics Carnival
ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
First, we did the House cheers. I cheered for Hammond. Then, we went to the throwing station. I did discus, shot put, javelin and the parachute. Next, I went to the running station. I ran around the oval and did sprints. Finally, I went to the jumping station. I did the bouncy ball, sack race, hurdles and the long jump.
Violet Li, KS
First, we did the House cheer. I cheered for Lang. Then, we did the throwing station. My favourite activity was the discus. Next, we did the running station. I ran one lap of the oval. Finally, we did the jumping station.
Myraa Jain, KS
My favourite activity was the discus.
We did a House cheer. I cheered for Lang. Then, we went to the throwing station. Next, we went to the running station. Finally, we finished at the bounce ball station. I loved the Athletics Carnival.
Abigail Lok, KS
Unfortunately, the annual Preparatory Swimming Carnival and Preparatory School Concert were not held in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Preparatory School Liaisons
Candy Canes
Christmas was in the air in the Preparatory School at the end of Term 4 2020! The Preparatory girls had been completing many Christmas activities such as crafts and we were able to join in the festivities by going down and seeing the girls at lunchtimes and helping them with their crafts and their games. On the second last day of term we were asked by some elves to deliver candy canes to the Preparatory School. This was so much fun and heartwarming to see the excitement on the girls’ faces when they received their candy canes.
PREPARATORY SCHOOL LIAISONS’ REPORT
Despite 2021 feeling like quite the rollercoaster ride, we and the Preparatory School girls had the most amazing time making new friends and memories together over the course of the year. We bonded over lunchtimes, build-a-bear workshops and Easter hat parades (just to name a few), and are so excited to see them grow into amazing Pymble girls in the future! Here’s a quick highlights-reel of all the exciting things we did this year:
Stars with Messages for Outgoing Year 12
As a special gift for the outgoing 2020 Year 12 girls, we helped the Preparatory School girls write messages on coloured stars! This was such a fun experience that allowed the Preparatory girls to connect with their older sisters, which was a big part of our prefect initiative for the year. Girls wrote simple messages such as “We will miss you!” and “I hope you have fun after school!” as well as the budding artists’ masterpieces depicting drawings of them holding hands with the older girls and other drawings of the older girls with love hearts and puppies. Somehow every fifth letter a puppy came to say hello! There was also a large influx of love hearts. This was a great experience for the younger girls to develop their writing and craft skills as well as providing support for their older sisters!
Easter Parade and Easter Egg Hunt
During the festivities of Easter, the Preparatory girls engaged in a series of activities that ignited their Easter spirit! Firstly, we had the Easter egg hunt! It was a privilege to be a part of hiding more than 1,000 eggs around the Riverbed for the Preparatory girls to have fun finding. The joy on their faces when finding the eggs was incredible! To continue the excitement during the week of Easter, the girls participated in the Easter Hat Parade.
Biggest Morning Tea
In May we were lucky to spend our Biggest Morning Tea with the Preparatory School girls. We organised with the Preparatory staff to meet the girls at the Main Oval for some fun with bubbles, hula hoops, balls and tunnels. When the three of us arrived, we were greeted with laughter and smiles from the girls.
We were able to have so much fun with the Preparatory School girls this year and we will miss them so much. We know whoever will be taking over our positions will do an amazing job.
Halle De Souza, Jessica Lin and Emily Oppenheim, Preparatory School Liaison PrefectsJessica Lin, Emily Oppenheim and Halle De Souza, Year 12 Faye Li, Ivy Li and Stephanie Zhao, Year 2
Preparatory School
JuniorSCHOOL
Junior School Leaders
Seventh Row: Georgia Yuen, Emily Chiang, Grace McSweeney, Charlotte King, Ciara Sweeney, Leura Sayers, Katherine Boyce Sixth Row: Sanaya Lakhani, Lily Mancey, Harriet Murphy, Alexandra Hargraves, Charlotte Blaiklock, Maya Ostapenko, Serena Cummings Fifth Row: Annie Pennington, Amelia Bicego, Monique Marinovic, Eloise Fisher, Ashleigh Song, Christina Zhao, Sahana Vivekanandhan Fourth Row: Grace Louw, Jemma Hung, Cindy Jin, Amelia Lee, Lara Waterhouse, Isabelle Port Third Row: Maile Wilson, Kayra Amir, Mie Naito, Varada Vinay, Saskia Nicholson, Isis Li, Angela Chen Second Row: Jacquelyn Zhu, Chloe Wang, Eden Orena Barlin, Milly Xu, Sanaa Kapoor, Hayley Browne, Leila Rich, Mia Chan Front Row: Alannah Tang, Gabriella Sheh, Sophie Rigg, Camille Xiao, Jenny Ling, Isabella Woodall, Isabel Neal, Lucy Lakeman, Anjali Shah
JUNIOR SCHOOL LEADERS
Kindness Leaders
Semester 1 Charlotte King, Georgia Yuen Semester 2 Charlotte Blaiklock, Grace McSweeney
Sustainability Leaders
Semester 1 Chloe Wang, Angela Tao
Semester 2 Ciara Sweeney, Milly Xu
SRC Leaders
Semester 1 Lucy Lakeman, Christina Zhao Semester 2 Ashleigh Song, Alexandra Hargraves
Information Technologies Leaders
Semester 1 Emily Chiang, Leura Sayers Semester 2 Mia Chan, Jemma Hung
Co-curricular Leaders
Semester 1 Sahana Vivekanandhan, Jacquelyn Zhu Semester 2 Amelia Lee, Lara Waterhouse
House Leaders
Bennett
Semester 1 Leila Rich, Sanaya Lakhani
Semester 2 Saskia Nicholson, Camille Xiao
Ingleholme
Semester 1 Varada Vinay, Eden Orena Barlin
Semester 2 Cindy Jin, Serena Cummings
Goodlet
Semester 1 Isabelle Port, Sophie Rigg Semester 2 Grace Louw, Annie Pennington
Junior School Liaisons
Junior School Movie Night
The Junior School Movie Night was a hit! The girls enjoyed fairy floss, a big carnival slide and buying goodies from all the stalls. We were lucky to connect with the girls whilst enjoying a burger for dinner. Finally, with some popcorn and hot chocolate, we sat amongst the families and watched Cheaper by the Dozen
Pedal Your Own Smoothie
Organised by the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG), we had the opportunity to help at the Pedal Your Own Smoothie event. With a wide selection of fruit flavours, the Junior School girls were able to make their own delicious smoothies in the John Reid Hall. Placing the fruit in the blenders, the girls pedalled as fast as they could, blitzing the fruit into a tasty and healthy drink. It was so nice to see all the girls being active and enjoying their well-deserved smoothie and of course, having heaps of fun!
JUNIOR SCHOOL LIAISONS’ REPORT
The Junior School girls of 2021 had an amazing year making memories with their friends, building new connections and learning more about themselves! We were lucky to spend time with them this year, getting to know them more and learning so much about the Junior School. Here are a few of the amazing activities we were able to do with the Junior School girls throughout 2021:
Diversity Week Puppet Show
During Diversity Week, we were able to involve the Junior School girls in a puppet show. We read a few picture books which showcased the importance of multiculturalism and accepting different cultures. With the help of some craft supplies, we created puppets of Cambodian dancers and performed a puppet show outside whilst enjoying the nice weather. This was such a fun activity that we all enjoyed, and everyone was able to learn something new!
Biggest Morning Tea
During May, we were able to engage with the Junior School girls at the school’s Biggest Morning Tea! There was a range of equipment for the girls to play with whilst dressed in their bright pink clothes and supporting a great cause.
Smiles filled their faces when playing with the hula hoops, the balls and all the bubbles!
We had such a great time getting to know the Junior School girls and will miss them greatly. We are very excited for the future of each girl and to see them grow into the most amazing Pymble girls!
Eli Bass, Elizabeth Glenn and Chanelle Ratnam, Junior School Liaison Prefects
Hammond
Semester 1 Monique Marinovic, Kayra Amir Semester 2 Mie Naito, Isis Li
Lang
Semester 1 Lily Mancey, Harriet Murphy
Semester 2 Maile Wilson, Anjali Shah
Marden
Semester 1 Maya Ostapenko, Isabella Woodall
Semester 2 Eloise Fisher, Alannah Tang
Thomas
Semester 1 Addison Woods, Jenny Ling Semester 2 Amelia Bicego, Gabriella Sheh
Wylie
Semester 1 Katherine Boyce, Sanaa Kapoor Semester 2 Hayley Browne, Isabel Neal
Careers Day
CAREERS DAY
We loved walking around the library and hall exploring everyone’s jobs. The parents gave amazing explanations on what they did for a living, it was so fascinating. Careers Day was really fun because we all got to learn about other jobs. There were jobs we’d never heard of and some that we see people doing regularly. We liked seeing the x-rays from the doctors and the chickens from the farmers. We also enjoyed watching our dad talk about his job and learning more about it. The displays parents had on their assigned tables were incredible. Careers Day gave us a look at some of the things we could do and that there are so many different jobs to choose from.
Amelia Blaiklock, Year 4 and Charlotte Blaiklock, Year 6
Careers Day was a fantastic event where parents came to school and talked about their jobs. We went around the hall from table to table meeting mums and dads who worked in new and interesting jobs. Some worked in retail, some worked in hospitals, some worked in finance as well as many more. It was really interesting to find out about the lots of different opportunities there are after school.
We loved Careers Day because we could view jobs, see and try examples and equipment and look into jobs we were interested in so that we could use this to help choose our future job!
All of the parents explained their jobs in detail, each job was very unique! Some examples included toy makers, Microsoft engineer, doctors, lawyers and much more. There was a colossal amount of laughter, chatter and excitement. We appreciated this event and all that came with it.
On 27 May, Pymble parents volunteered to come in and share with us their different and unique jobs to inspire Junior School students about career possibilities. In this workshop we had lots of new experiences and enjoyable moments.
We were able to interact with different professions. We took part in chemistry, making slime, learned about marketing and branding, technology use and time management, the courts and met judges, dentists and doctors. An inspirational person was a lady who taught us how to do CPR on a rubber person. Everyone learned something new. We hope we can do it again.
Estelle Lee and Abigail Martin, Year 5
Careers Day made us all feel like we could make a change to our world. We would certainly love to have this again!Phoebe Scott, Year 4 Mrs Bianca Orena Barlin and Nikita Orena Barlin, Year 4
Careers Day
CAREERS DAY
Careers Day was a very fun day.
I got to learn new things about different people’s jobs, and I even could see my parents. First, Dad’s stall – I never actually knew that he made the VR Rollercoaster and I loved how he showed his work. Then there was Mum and Grandma who made a stall about what type of cakes they make, with yummy cakes to show everybody. My friends even got to play with fondant! I also loved the other stalls. One of my favourites was the Science table where we learned how to make slime.
Eden Orena Barlin, Year 6
International Women’s Day / PJ Factor
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY HIGH TEA FEAST
The High Tea was a brilliant experience for everyone who attended. It was also a chance to meet new people and have fun with your friends.
There were pastries, egg sandwiches, rolls, tomato and cheese sticks to name a few. It was also a delight to ask questions of the special guest sitting at our table.
Last of all, we mostly enjoyed the trivia. We enjoyed it because the theme of the questions was about inspirational women and girls.
It was also a delight to ask questions of the special guest sitting at our table.
PJ FACTOR
During Term 1, girls could enter the Junior School’s talent quest, PJ Factor. There were five categories that each entrant could apply for – vocal, instrumental, dance, drama and media.
Students from each year in the Junior School performed during lunchtimes and so many girls came to watch. Items or entries were chosen from each section to perform in the final concert, which was held on the last day of term. The show was held twice – one for the Junior School, and the other for our parents.
I performed in the Year 6 Instrumental category, and played the fourth and fifth variation of Alyabyev’s Romance ‘The Nightingale’ by Mikhail Glinka. It was surreal performing on stage, along with many others, and the special stage effects were amazing.
Thank you to the teachers and the theatre crew for all their support!
AUTHOR VISIT INQUIRY
The excitement was electric as the energy levels intensified in the performing arts room. Girls were patiently waiting for the opportunity to listen and learn about Kate and Jol Temple’s stories. Everyone was laughing and grinning with joy as Kate and Jol read Are You My Bottom? along with a preview of their latest novel The Underdogs. The preview was brilliant and left us wanting to hear more of the story. Many of us were inspired by their writing journey and eager to begin writing our own mystery books. It was an awesome experience and one that will by treasured by all.
Sarah Tew, 3P
Kate and Jol Temple came to visit us at Pymble during Term 2 to tell us about their amazing, new book The Underdogs. All of Year 3 listened intently and watched keenly as they showed us the characters in their latest novel. They also read us their book Are You My Bottom? and Year 3 laughed out loud at their funny voices! Year 3 was sad to see the hilarious experience come to an end, but we all really enjoyed it.
Trisha Viswanathan, 3BAustralia Project
During our Inquiry sessions in Term 3, we focused on Australia. We looked at maps of Australia and planned a trip to visit all the places we had studied. My group built a train made from recycled goods to go around Australia. Before we started, we did a lucky dip to see what we were going to build. My team used egg cartons for the carriages, pipe cleaners to attach them and milk lids for wheels. I enjoyed the project because I liked working with my friends. I also enjoyed using my creativity to build and try something new.
Olivia Dinnie, 3Y
Plant Growing
In Year 3 Inquiry, we grew bean plants. It was a fun experience for me since I had never raised plants before. Everyone wrapped the bean in cotton and kept track of how it was growing each week.
As I watched the baby seedling grow to a child, I felt hopeful.
Over the weeks I nurtured my plant and made sure I watered it correctly and checked its exposure to sunlight. It was a great experience, and, in the end, my plant grew 27cm.
Olivia Chen, 3M
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
In Week 4 Term 1, Year 3 was fortunate to be the first year group to experience Outdoor Education at Vision Valley.
Only a short bus ride from Pymble, we arrived at Vision Valley and were greeted by our leaders and cabin mascots. It was a fun-filled two days. We enjoyed a bushwalk, where we created beautiful creations out of nature and completed class challenges. We also had the opportunity to try archery. It was a lot harder to hit the target than we thought it would be. But the best part was going down the waterslide. For a lot of us, it was our first night away from our families. It was exciting being able to share a bunk room with our classmates. It felt like one big Pymble sleepover! We can’t wait to go back to Vision Valley to try different outdoor activities and experience sleeping in tents.
Sophia Sayegh, 3L, Alice Hockley, 3M, Tia Gao, 3P, Anna Xu, 3P and Riley Kwok, 3B
NEW MODULAR CLASSROOMS
We cut the ribbon and walked into our brand-new modular classroom on the first day of Term 2. The windows were crystal clear and transparent for us to peer through. There was a huge fresh whiteboard ready to be written on and our desks were waiting to be used. It was like walking into a learning paradise! We signed our names on the whiteboard and all of sudden, Mrs Murphy pulled the whiteboard open. We could see the smiles of 3M looking back at us.
Valerie Chung, Imogen Martin and Wendy Pan, 3L
3M was on cloud nine when we carried our belongings joyously up to our new classroom! We came back down to our other classroom and stacked all our tables and chairs up, ready for the end of Term 1 and the moving. We then took a tour up to our classroom and wrote our names on the sliding whiteboard door. Our teacher showed us the way to go to the main Year 3 building and where to walk to get to various activities and pathways. After that, we went back to our pleasantly lit new classroom and played with the other class that had moved in next door. I really like our new classroom because it is convenient, bright and we are connected to another class!
Adeline Wu, 3MAt the start of Term 2, 3M was really excited about moving classrooms. When we arrived at school, everyone had different ideas about where to put our bags. We were given a small tour of our new classrooms and then we were able to pick our lockers. After that we wrote on the door that acted like a wall. You had to pull very hard and then it slid open, so we could work with the other class! It was such an exciting week getting to know our classroom!
Olivia Zhou, 3MYEAR 3 ONLINE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Term 3 2021 looked different to how many of us ever imagined. Year 3 was still able to find the silver linings of Online Learning and show up to classes with beautiful smiles on their faces.
Rosie Han, 3P, and Karen Liu, 3M, agreed that getting to sleep in later than usual was the best perk, while Madison Burns, 3P, found that spending more quality time with family was the best part of Online Learning. Aarna Ashwin, 3M, summed it up nicely, “What I enjoyed the most about Online Learning was that we didn’t need to wake up early in the morning and I got to spend extra time with my family.” Sueann Deng, 3M, loved that her mum made her delicious hot lunches instead of sandwiches while she was at home, and Chenxi Wang, 3B, rolled up her sleeves with her mum in the kitchen during lunchtime to help her make all kinds of goodies like dumplings and pastries from scratch.
Stay-at-home orders did not stop the Year 3 girls from connecting with each other and their teachers online. Greta Campbell, 3B, connected with her friends by calling them every afternoon to just have a talk and a laugh. She also loved hanging out with her friends by doing fun online pyjama nights. Trisha Viswanathan, 3B, maintained the connection with her friends by writing letters and calling them. “I love writing and it is really relaxing for me to just sit down at my desk and write everything I have been doing and I post it. I also call them, and it makes me feel really joyful when I get to hear their voices and see their smiling faces.” Tian Xue, 3B, felt most connected when playing Kahoot during Compass time, because it helped the girls to get to know each other better, whereas Laurinda Ma, 3B, felt most connected participating in lessons online where her teachers and friends were always there to help her. Keeley Wang and Mia Pan, 3B, agreed that simply having the ability to chat with teachers and friends every day meant that they always felt connected.
There was no shortage of fun-filled online events to keep the girls busy. Riley Kwok, Isla Huang and Olivia Wang, 3B, enjoyed Book Day the most, especially the author visit and the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Laurinda Ma and Chenxi Wang, 3B, loved the Year 3 Bake Off the most because they learned how to make delicious Rocky Road.
Year 3 Online Bake Off
In Term 3, Year 3 participated in a Bake Off. The girls worked together at home via Microsoft Teams to try and make the best Rocky Road possible. Rocky Road is a fun dish with lots of chocolate and hidden treats. The point of this lesson was to practise our knowledge of mass using kilograms and grams. We gathered and prepared our ingredients before school, chopping our chocolate and marshmallows and crushing our biscuits and other treats. We were so excited! In the morning after roll call, our teachers called us so the class could follow along to our teacher’s instructions.
The first step was to grease our tins or to set out the patty pans into a baking tray. Next, it was time to melt our chocolate in the microwave. While the chocolate was melting, we put all of our treats into a bowl, and then poured in our melted chocolate and mixed it all together. Yum! Finally, we poured the mixture into the trays or patty pans and put the containers in the fridge for three hours to set. Our mouths were watering just waiting for our decadent treats to be ready. Finally, we got to share the Rocky Road with our families, and it was simply stunning. Most of us agree that our favourite part was getting to lick the melted chocolate off the spoon and bowl at cleanup time. This was a stupendous privilege to have. We learned how to make a new dish that many of us had never even heard of before. It made us feel proud to take the challenge and be able to make something special for our families to enjoy. We hope we can do it again someday.
Diya Dhanpal, Trisha Viswanathan and Chenxi Wang, 3BUNSTRUCTURED PLAY
Unstructured Play gave me the freedom to explore, create and discover. It was the best opportunity for us to put our creativity and imagination to the test by inventing something fun and challenging! I enjoyed creating a swing on a tree, constructing a sledge out of recycled materials and building a treehouse using scrapped materials.
Zoe Chong, 3P
Unstructured Play was an amazing part of class time. It allowed you to do what you enjoy such as drawing, building and creating. Unstructured Play was usually on a Friday after lunch. I liked it because it was a time free from schoolwork and I could use my imagination.
Bethany Tucker, 3P
On Fridays during Period 6, we went outside and got creative. This was called Unstructured Play. We built lots of amazing things for example cubby houses, swings, games and even created shows. We enjoyed Unstructured Play because it inspired us to grow in our learning process.
Sophie Chiang and Chloe Morrison, 3M
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MATHEMATICS WITH YEAR 3
On Friday 12 March, the Junior School was abuzz with girls designing, creating and applying their critical and creative thinking skills to solve mathematical problems as part of International Day of Mathematics. The theme this year was ‘Mathematics for a Better World’. Students in Years 3 and 4 formed mixed groups and rotated through six workstations that challenged student thinking and highlighted different aspects of Mathematics including using clocks to establish elapsed time, money to pay for groceries, scales to weigh rice and trundle wheels to measure the perimeter of the hall. Students had to work as a cohesive team to collect puzzle pieces that when pieced together identified the theme.
FARM INCURSION
In Term 4, Year 4 continued to explore sustainability as part of our Inquiry unit. With a focus on sustainable agricultural practices, students enjoyed an online incursion with Jesse from Phoenix Park Farms in the Hunter Valley.
This opportunity exposed students to innovative farming methods that aim to improve productivity while maintaining land health. These include ‘slash mulching’, ‘chicken tractoring’ and ‘habitat restoration’.
Following this, students undertook case studies that explored a variety of primary industries before applying their knowledge to create their own farm using virtual reality software. Students were challenged to identify how they can impact positive change, no matter how big or small the initiative.
Farmer Jesse returned later in the term to provide critical feedback to the virtual reality farms and the solutions that were applied. We were also thankful to Ms Georgia Campbell (2013) from Farming NSW who collaborated with Pymble on our Inquiry unit and created packs to link classroom learning for students to celebrate Agriculture Week. “I really found it interesting how Jesse explained that he uses some animals to kill or eat pests instead of using harmful man-made chemicals. I also found that it is important to plant some trees along the riverbank to keep the soil together and stop erosion. I believe sustainable farming is important because if you only rely on man-made things, you could cause more pollution.” – Claire Xing, 4P
“I found the invention of a Chicken Tractor interesting, where chickens eat what is not harvested and prepare the soil for the next crop. Sustainable farming is important because without it we could run out of resources and that would lead to not having enough food.”
– Hilary Eyers, 4P
“I learned that it takes four months to grow potatoes, but they do this by planting one older potato that then grows shoots. Sustainability is really important to reduce the amount of rubbish.” – Molly Liu, 4B
LIGHT AND DARK PARTY
In the Year 4 Wellbeing space, 4M held a Light and Dark Party. There were two different rooms, and each had its own theme (light and dark) and activities. The activities in the light room were Kaleidoscopes, Light Kahoot, Pin the Sun on the Solar System and the Light Photo Booth. The kaleidoscope was used for looking in mirrors and seeing colour. The Light Kahoot was about learning new things on light.
Pin the Sun on the Solar System taught the Pymble girls about direction and the exact position of the sun and whether it was more to the north, south, east or west. The light cupcakes were vanilla.
In the dark room the activities were Neon Colouring, Silhouette Making, Dark Photo Booth and Dark Kahoot! The hosts in the dark room handed out glowsticks while some were DJs and threw a small disco. Silhouette Making was on how to make a silhouette. The dark cupcakes were chocolate flavoured. At the end, each guest that attended the party was given a party bag.
Esther Li, 4MYEAR 4 OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Being our Best Selves at Chowder Bay and Cockatoo Island
Chowder Bay was a water wonderland. Our morning began with snorkelling, followed by rafting and a swim. So many new challenges for our girls to ‘Have a go’. The girls relished the opportunity to frolic in the gentle waves, followed by a play at the newly renovated playground. They enjoyed a fascinating talk by the Sydney Institute of Marine Science where they learned about the many creatures living in our waterways and how we can protect them.
With the Sydney Harbour Bridge as a magnificent backdrop, the girls thoroughly enjoyed exploring Cockatoo Island. They learned about its historic past and used clues to find out about the Island’s most famous convict, Captain Thunderbolt! The wind provided the perfect environment for the girls to make, decorate and fly kites. Giggles and laughter could be heard as the girls watched their creatively designed kites dive and fly high above.
4
UNSTRUCTURED PLAY IN YEAR 4
Year 4 enjoys the opportunity to engage in unstructured play each fortnight. This valuable time allows students the freedom to explore, create and discover without predetermined rules or guidelines. It fosters cognitive development while boosting physical development and social and emotional development.
In the Junior School, Year 4 students use an array of recycled materials, like boxes, tyres, rope, cloth and cooking utensils as part of their Unstructured Play. These instruments allow students to not only have fun, but also see how they can re-use, recycle and re-purpose materials that were once unwanted.
“You get away from your devices and get to play with friends. Today we made a game that reflected Indigenous culture.” – Madeleine Birrell, 4Y
“I think Unstructured Play is very fun as it’s when we can use cardboard and other recycled materials to have games and other creative activities. It’s nice as we are not wasting resources.” – Lyann Shih, 4P
4
PEDAL YOUR SMOOTHIE
Our Junior School girls pedalled their way to a delicious banana or strawberry smoothie as part of Pedal Your Own Smoothie Day! The event promoted healthy living, exercise and sustainability as the girls made their healthy smoothies while also raising funds for our College charity, the McGrath Foundation. A huge thanks to our parent helpers and Year 9 volunteers.
URSTRONG INCURSION
On Wednesday 3 February, Year 4 had an incursion about a program named URSTRONG. In the program, we were taught to become ‘friendship ninjas’ and what to do when we are caught in dangerous friendship fires.
We learned the keys to being good friends and what to do when a person is being ‘mean on purpose’ to us or another person. One important strategy is to have a quick-fire response. Mine is to say, “Excuse me!”
This program may help others in the future if a person is being mean to anyone, or more likely when we are having a friendship fire. It could help us to extinguish the fires that have happened and stand up for ourselves when things go wrong.
Rebecca Zhou, 4P
YEAR 5 SHOWCASE: THE LORAX
The Lorax Showcase was one of the highlights of my 2021 journey. I had a lot of fun! Our Lorax Showcase was based on the wonderful poem by Dr Seuss and the movie recreated by Chris Renaud. Each of our classes presented a song from the movie and a scene from the book. Many of the props were created from recycled bottles and boxes and so were all of our instruments which we made during a massive workshop day with Junkyard Beats.
I took part in the ‘Funeral for a Tree’ scene and presented the group dance. We were required to practise during lunchtimes to make the choreography. We kept working hard and were really proud of how everything turned out.
Thank you to the Performing Arts and Year 5 teachers for helping us to put on this show.
SOLAR OVEN CHALLENGE
In Term 2, Year 5 had a challenge to make solar ovens. We were in groups of three or four, and our aim was to melt chocolate in the oven we were going to create, using minimal resources and under time restraints.
We gathered all our information and did some research about which materials would work and which would not. Our group concluded that rice, metal and black absorb heat, which would help make the chocolate melt faster. We used the rice we brought to school – since each group was only given a piece of aluminium foil and had to bring everything else themselves –and wrapped it in aluminum foil.
To make the experiment fair, we made sure each group had the same amount of sunlight. When we tested our solar ovens, some chocolates didn’t look like they were melting even though they had already melted inside. Some solar ovens were more successful while others weren’t. We learned lots by making predictions and learning from others and our mistakes. A few of our favourite parts were when we got to eat the chocolate and see the chocolate melt. It was an excellent experience.
Celine Cai, 5M and Nicole Fan, 5Y
5
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MATHEMATICS
On 14 March, we participated in the International Day of Mathematics. This day is dedicated to celebrating mathematics and appreciating how we use it every single day.
We did fun mathematics activities all day. Our first task was to solve problems which became progressively harder as we continued. We were coupled with students from the class next to us and the problems covered many themes in mathematics. The time certainly flew and it felt as though it was over before it had even started. Once the activity was completed, the room was filled with enthusiastic discussions around what other groups had answered for different questions.
Our second task involved creating a sustainable bin, using only five pieces of A3 paper. We had to use a 1:4 scale to make the task as sustainable as possible. We were split into groups of five from across the floor. We had to design our bin first and agree on a plan. Once the build began, so did the excitement, with the groups running across the floor to grab the small supply of staplers and tape. There was a lot of bargaining throughout the activity to share the limited resources. In the final few minutes of the exercise, each group scrambled to the finish line to complete their bins. Once the bins were created, we were able to walk around the room to appreciate the other builds. It was truly a wonderful day.
Annabella Bayfield, 5E and Leahara Wijesuriya, 5LOnce the build began, so did the excitement
BLUBBER GLOVE EXPERIMENT
On 29 March, Year 5 performed an experiment to find out whether animal warmth is produced from their blubber as part of our Inquiry unit. In this experiment, the teachers brought out several ice-cold tubs with water as well as ones full of butter. We used butter because it is primarily made of fat and that is pretty much the same as what blubber is made of.
First, we were instructed to dip our bare hands into the water to test how cold it was without the blubber. It was quite chilly!
Next, we slowly put a glove on and pushed the butter into the glove and surprisingly our hands stayed warm and dry!
Our hypothesis was correct, when we had the blubber on, we stayed warm just like the animals which live in colder parts of the world. Our reasoning was that blubber was exactly like blankets but only built into your body. Animals have adapted to grow blubber coats in the cold environment.
Emily Woods-McConville, 5Y and Harriet Gregory, 5L
THE AUSTRALIAN GOLD RUSH
During Term 2 we learned about the Australian Gold Rush. We presented our research to the teachers and students after learning all about the gold rush. We used Student Canvas to find the majority of our information and were lucky to have a historian who specialised in the history of the gold rush share her thoughts with us via an online discussion. We also showed some of our learning by writing our thoughts on images from the gold rush, writing letters and facts from different perspectives of people who participated in the gold rush, making Sketchnotes, posters and simply writing facts in our books.
On the day of our presentation we visited other classes. We took turns sharing our work with each other which was presented in different ways. I showed my work by making a poster which consisted of the majority of my learning and a couple of pictures. I also made a perspective wheel and a game which was a great success as no one thought of making one and everyone enjoyed playing it. Other people also showed their work on an Adobe Spark Page, a book or in a Minecraft world. I really enjoyed the Term 2 Inquiry unit.
Anisha Chabra, 5Y
PYMBLE ARTEFACTS
There are many historical artefacts placed around Pymble Ladies’ College that represent what life was like during 1916 when the school was first opened. There are different types of artefacts, such as trees, buildings, emblems, photographs and many more. There is a building, near the Main Hall, where all the precious artefacts are placed called the Heritage Centre.
On 12 May, Year 5 girls went on an exploration around our school looking for different artefacts used during 1916 and other past years. We had our lovely researchers teach us about the wonderful artefacts that can be found in the Artefact Research Room.
In the Artefact Research Room, we looked at old school uniforms, important dates, pictures of past Principals, badges and more. This experience was a very significant one for us as it showed us our school’s past.
I hope that future students will look at this too and maybe one day, significant events from our years will be placed in the Artefact room too!
Imogen Jones, 5L and Feifei Wang, 5P
AUTHOR TALKS
In Term 2 we had an author visit from the wonderful Belinda Murrell. She has written The Lulu Belle series, The Sun Swords series, The Golden Tower, Pippa’s Island and more. She also told us about how she relates her books to her life, like when she moved with her family to a different country, she wrote Pippa’s Island because in the book Pippa had to move.
As part of Book Week in Term 3 we got to have an online author talk with Jacqueline Harvey. The series of books she has written are called Alice Miranda, Clementine Rose and Kensy and Max.
She told us lots of funny stories and gave us some great ideas for our own writing.
DA VINCI DECATHLON
On 6 May, eight students from Year 5 participated in the da Vinci Decathlon against 153 other schools from around Australia. There were ten areas: English, Maths, Science, Engineering, Ideation, Code Breaking, Legacy, Art and Poetry, Cartography and Creative Producers. The Decathlon is about working together to solve problems and to help us think creatively. We were under time pressure at first but had spare time at the end. It was really fun getting to do a range of different challenges. We also enjoyed getting icy poles at the end of the competition. Overall, we came third in Science, fourth in English and seventh in Ideation.
Alina Shi, 5Y and Chloe Shao, 5B
Shreya Mahendra, 5Y
I think her books are really cool because the main characters are kids and kids are awesome!
Valerie Zhao, 5YAbigail Martin, Pia Vandeleur, Veeva Xie and Indigo Meldrum, 5P
UNSTRUCTURED PLAY
Unstructured Play can only be described with one word, fun! This year in Unstructured Play we really enjoyed having the opportunity to use recycled parts, feel free and bond with friends.
This is a really fun way for students to get creative using only the materials available to us and no electronics. In one of the Unstructured Play periods, we made a shop together and traded recycled parts for stones. It was really fun and we got to hang out together and take our minds off the stress of schoolwork.
Unstructured Play is an opportunity to let students all over the Junior School get outside and be creative. The thing we found the best about this subject was that we could enjoy the sunshine, nature, birds and classmates’ laughter. Our favourite period was definitely Unstructured Play!
Mea McBurney and Caitlin Stoodley, 5M
CHALLENGE BY CHOICE
At the start of Term 3, while working online, Year 5 started a weekly activity called Challenge By Choice. We were given a table with fun and educational activities for Year 5 students to accomplish. We could choose an activity we were comfortable with and after completing that, we then uploaded it to Seesaw with a detailed explanation for the Challenge By Choice teachers, Mrs King, Mrs Hare and Ms Dignam. We were expected to complete five tasks from the table every term.
We were given a variety of fun tasks such as a detailed solar system Sketchnote (a type of way students can show their thinking), making a trophy or a medal for the Tokyo Olympics and many more amazing tasks.
At every Challenge by Choice class, the teachers would talk to us about how we were going with a task, or what task we were going to try. After collecting all the information, the teachers would put them into a slide to show our progress. It was such a great and creative opportunity for us to do while learning online.
Katy Jung and Julia Zhu, 5YEva Still, 5P Hilary Pang and Jessica Persson, 5P Julia Zhu, Cecilia Zhou, Sheryl Alexander and Alina Shi, 5Y
Year 5
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
At the beginning of the year in Term 1, Year 5 went to Vision Valley and participated in many activities such as archery, the waterslide, orienteering and learning to put up our own tents. For many of the activities, we worked together as a team to complete challenges. As well as that, we did activities that were both fun and educational. We learned all about the different types of knots – we even had a knot tying race at the end! The waterslide was an extremely popular hotspot and the swimming pool felt like a bath of ice.
When we arrived at the hall, everyone was carrying large bags and even small suitcases. We walked to the bus in a single file line and loaded the bus with many bags and people. We all slept in cabins for one night and tents the other night. We had cereal when we were in tents and gourmet food when we were in the cabins.
We had an extremely exciting and great experience at Vision Valley, and it would be great to return again someday.
Megan Chia, 5M and Aurora Zhang, 5P
MIND BODY SPIRIT DAY
At the end of Term 3, Mrs Brown, Mrs Davey and Mrs Bird ran a special day online for us called Mind Body Spirit Day. In the morning during Compass, we got to “bring your pet to roll call!” Each class got to see their classmates' dogs, cats and many more animals. Next up, we made some gratitude containers with Mrs Brown and Mrs Davey. After a quick break, we made some delicious Rocky Road. Some people made it with milk chocolate, while others made it with white and we had different fillings.
We then had a super fun STEM challenge where you had to make your own toys or ones that were based on other toys with recycled materials. For a quick break, we did some relaxing meditations and then got back to work by continuing our STEM challenge. We quickly packed up our finished masterpieces and got ready for some mindfulness with Frieda and Danielle. We worked on our breathing, taking deep breaths in and out.
After lunch, we settled into library, talking about books and recommending them to each other. At the end of the day, we got to do ‘get up and be active’ where we did some tricky but fun sports challenges, such as trying to roll around in a 360º motion without making a toilet paper roll fall off your foot and balancing on one foot and trying to pick up a folded piece of paper off the ground. It was a super fun-filled day.
Lily Xing and Claudia Sherlock, 5E
We learned all about the different types of knots we even had a knot tying race at the end!
ONLINE BAKING
While online Year 5 girls got to bake delightful treats each week, from cupcakes to pizza and honey joys to pancakes. It was a time we all looked forward to each week! It was always a thrill to find out what we were baking next.
In the last week of Term 3, all students had the opportunity to lead the baking. For some it was really hard to decide what we were going to bake because there were so many delicious treats we could make. There were baked doughnuts, apple crumble, watermelon ice blocks, brookies and so much more.
Overall, baking as a Year 5 group was so much fun! We had a blast at baking creations. We would like to thank all the teachers for their time and effort in putting together this wonderful opportunity!
Heidi Ferreira and Sophie Kidd, 5LONLINE LEARNING
In 2021, NSW spent 106 days in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For 63 of those days, we were learning online. Our teachers worked hard to develop programs to ensure that we not only continued to learn what we needed to, but that we all remained happy and connected with one another.
Each week we took part in a cooking class led by one of our Masterchef-quality teachers. We all enjoyed making Oreo cheesecakes led by Chef Aikman because they tasted delicious and they melted in our mouths. Some subjects like Mathematics and Literacy were much the same online, but others were a little more challenging. While we missed playing team sports with our friends, like we usually would in PE, we learned new skills like how to juggle! Practising mindfulness each day allowed us to disconnect from our screens and relax in different ways, including meditation and taking walks in nature.
Learning online allowed everyone to understand technology and how it operates which will help us for the rest of our schooling.
Gemma Dixon and Pia Vandeleur, 5P
CHOOSE KIND AND CHOOSE CHANGE
In Year 5, we did Choose Kind and Choose Change posters collaboratively. The teachers cut out letters and stuck them on the paper with Blu Tack. We then used marbles to roll the paint on the paper once and then a handprint. After all the girls had a turn rolling a marble on the paper the teachers took off the letters and put the poster on the wall in the Learning Café. It looked really pretty and colourful!
We made these posters because Choose Kind and Choose Change was the whole school focus for Semester 1. We unfortunately couldn’t do them in Semester 2 as we were online however it was great to see the poster and our collaborative efforts when we returned to campus halfway through Term 4.
Isabel Chang and Ella Gao, 5Y
HARMONY DAY
During Term 2, Year 6 had a different school join them for a day. To celebrate Harmony Day, we enjoyed numerous activities together. In groups we researched a country, we painted friendship rocks with different patterns, and we even had fun having lunch together.
It was amazing to see how their school worked and how they learn.
I drew the Earth with people holding hands all around it to symbolise togetherness.
All together the experience of having another wonderful school join Year 6 for a day was truly amazing. We learned a lot from them and we had a lot of fun together. I hope we can experience this again.
Anjali Shah, 6YAUGMENTED REALITY GARDENS
In Term 2, Year 6 mastered the art of creating fruit and vegetable gardens using Reality Composer. Under the guidance of Eric, who taught us valuable augmented reality skills, we demonstrated our knowledge of agriculture and maths through the creation of a digital garden or animal vivarium.
Our gardens were selected from an earlier paper design of a farm we created individually as part of our Inquiry unit into sustainable farming practices. We selected a harvest season and researched crops which fitted. Our garden designs had a limit on the amount of land we could occupy, but there were no restrictions on finances! Our mathematical knowledge was exhibited as we calculated the area, perimeter and span of our garden beds and the maximum yield capacity, while simultaneously allowing the plant adequate room for growth.
To make our plans come to life, we used the app Reality Composer. This app simulates a three-dimensional structure of whatever we input into it, so the sky was really the limit! We could make any shape available and move it by coding it to perform certain tasks.
The most promising of these films were then sent to Vision Valley as potential gardening ideas. Overall, this was a stimulating and interesting learning experience where the students engaged in several activities, resulting in the development of a deep understanding in the field of sustainable agriculture. It opened our eyes to the future of farming and what it can bring to our planet.
TRANSITION TO MIDDLE SCHOOL LUNCHES
Year 6 had the special opportunity of having transition lunches in Term 3. The transition lunches were online and run by Year 7 students and a Middle School Compass teacher. The lunches were spread across a few weeks and there were about five to six students and a Year 6 Compass teacher in each session.
The Year 7 students told us all about their experiences, how Year 7 worked and answered some of our questions. We learned lots of new facts including where to put our stationery and bags, the locker area, the canteen, homework, our different classes and teachers. During my session, Mrs Wilson joined me along with a few more Year 6 students.
Year 6 found this very useful especially because we got all our information from Year 7 girls who have been through this experience before. It was a helpful experience for us all.
Jacklyn Chen, 6YMy favourite part was creating drawings based on the theme ‘We are all in this together’.
Stella Sharp and Sahana Vivekanandhan, 6BCharlotte King and Jemma Hung, 6Y
BOOK WEEK
For Book Week 2021, Pymble had the theme of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ online. We were told to get creative with our outfits, so not only did we of course have Alice, the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts, some girls even chose to dress up as the talking flowers or the large caterpillar. Throughout the day, students completed multiple exciting and creative activities. We had a Mad Hatters tea party, where we got to choose from a variety of delicious Wonderland-themed recipes such as mint hot chocolate and fairy bread.
We had a session devoted to creating Wonderland-themed hats that could be decorated with iconic Wonderland characters such as the Cheshire Cat, Alice or the Queen of Hearts. We even had a treasure hunt to earn House points by searching through our homes for items such as flamingos, playing cards and clocks while simultaneously leaving a trail of destruction, much to the displeasure of our parents! But best of all was the online visit from Jacqueline Harvey, where we got to learn about her journey to become a writer and the inspirations behind her bestselling stories.
Katherine Boyce, 6M
Book Week is a week at your school where it’s all completely dedicated to books. As we couldn’t go to school during lockdown, we had an online Book Day. This year’s theme was ‘Alice in Wonderland’. The day was packed with fun activities such as cooking, drawing and scavenger hunts. We were also encouraged to dress up as characters from Alice in Wonderland. We could go as any character, such as Alice or the Mad Hatter. We were also encouraged to be as creative as possible and go as a specific flower, or one of the cards from the Queen of Heart’s army.
Ashleigh Song, 6LDuring Book Week, we had many fun activities to look forward to. We started the day off with PE. During PE we had an activity grid, where we could choose whatever we wanted to do.
Next, we had a Mad Hatters tea party. We cooked an assortment of snacks and enjoyed them for recess. We made mug cakes, strawberry mousse, biscuits and more. For those who weren’t so keen on cooking we also had the choice of making fruit caterpillars, so there was something for everyone.
After our tea party, we made hats or did drawings. Some girls made hats out of paper cups, paper plates and cardboard, and other girls drew pictures with symbols of Alice. Such symbols could be the rabbits, clock, a hearts card, an ‘Eat Me’ cookie or a tall hat.
Next, we had an exciting author visit planned by Mrs Itzcovitz. Jacqueline Harvey came and gave us a talk about her inspirations and how she thought of her book ideas. She also talked about her favourite characters and scenes. We all had a great time talking to her. After that, we had a scavenger hunt in our Compass class. We got different points for all of the items that we were able to find, and it was so much fun. Then we wrapped up Book Week with the weekly assembly.
Book Week was so much fun, and the teachers made it exciting. Mrs Itzcovitz was able to organise a fun day for everyone, even if we were online and not in person.
Year 6
A DAY TRIP TO CANBERRA
The Year 6 Canberra Day Trip was a cold but exciting adventure. It started off with all the girls heading onto a big bus at Kelso Oval. Each Compass class was paired with another that we spent the day with. An exciting surge of energy rippled through the classes as we felt the bus start to move. It was a very long drive, but we had the opportunity to sit next to some of our friends and chat.
Many movies were viewed and card games played. Eventually when we arrived in Canberra, we travelled past the embassies and high commissions. We all tried to guess and name as many embassies as we could before we saw the signs. There were around 40 embassies and the biggest by far was America’s. It was amusing when the security guards waved back after we all started throwing our arms in the air. We travelled up to Mount Ainslie to the lookout. It was amazing to see the view and clearly see how Canberra is planned out.
Once we were inside Parliament House, we eagerly waited for our guide on the marble floors. After our guide arrived, she took us up the staircase and through to a hall until we
came to a big glass cabinet that contained the apology letter to our Indigenous people. The guide let us take turns looking at the letter as it was a very rare sight! After that we went further into the hall where we were greeted by the portraits of Australia’s former Prime Ministers. Our guide explained how the Prime Ministers choose an artist and have them paint their portrait. Next our guide took us into the House of Representatives where we got to sit in the visitor seats while she explained what each seat was for and answered our many questions. We then journeyed onto the Senate where our guide explained its purpose.
Our final activity for the day was to role play being members of the House of Representatives or the Senate to gain a better understanding of how our government works. It was almost the end of the day, so we went outside, and we got a surprise! Frozen yoghurt! It was a really hot day, so we ate the yoghurt surprisingly quickly. Finally, we boarded the bus again to head back to school.
Rieza Khan and Alannah Tang, 6B
MATHS OLYMPIAD
Near the start of the year, we began a series of tests called the Maths Olympiad. There were five tests, and each consisted of five questions that aimed to challenge our logic and critical thinking. After finishing, we all felt a sense of accomplishment and pride, no matter what score we achieved. We aimed to improve with each test and to apply effective strategies to each problem. Both classes that participated in the Olympiad learned something from it, whether it was identifying our strengths or weaknesses, getting better at reading the question or learning how to tackle multi-step problems. We are so grateful to all the teachers for organising this event for us!
Scarlett Li, 6E, Christina Zhao, 6E and Chloe Wang, 6L we all felt a sense of accomplishment and pride
ONCE UPON A LOCKDOWN
In 2021, Year 6 missed out on doing their musical because of COVID-19. We had planned to perform The Little Mermaid in Term 3, but when this could not happen, the teachers came up with another idea so that we would not miss out.
We created an online entertainment festival by using a platform called ThingLink. As part of this ThingLink, there were five categories which we called galleries: Vocal, Instrumental, Dance, Art and Culture. In the Culture gallery, you could pretty much do whatever you wanted –acting, baking, animation and more. Every girl in Year 6 had to contribute at least one item and some girls chose to do two.
Then we had to come up with a name for our online festival. We thought of lots of names and then voted – with the winning vote going to Joy Yin, 6B, for her idea of Once Upon a Lockdown. Each girl had four weeks to prepare and then submit their item, I did two items. I sang Under the Sea, dressed as Sebastian because I would have been singing this if the musical had been performed. I also decided to bake a cake that was Under the Seathemed. I had a lot of fun creating both of my items and I also really enjoyed watching other people’s.
During Term 4, Year 6 students had been learning about how entertainers around the world adapted to COVID-19 lockdowns –just like us!
We may be the Year 6 that missed out on the musical, but we did something unique and special that might not ever happen again.
We would like to thank Miss Rooney and Mr Brown for doing all of the IT and technical design and support. I would also like to pay a big thank you to Mrs King, Mrs Woodyatt, Mrs Brown and all of our teachers for coming up with the idea so that we could have a performance.
Sophie Rigg, 6L
Every year in Term 2, a competition known as the da Vinci Decathlon takes place in Knox’s Great Hall. The Decathlon is an academic competition designed to stimulate and challenge the minds of school students and in the Junior School, it is open to Years 5 and 6. The competition, which goes for just under a school day, consists of ten disciplines; Mathematics Literature, Arts and Poetry, Cartography, Science, Engineering, Code Breaking, Creative Producers, Ideation and Legacy.
This year’s competition was like no other. Instead of competing face-to-face with more than 100 different teams at Knox Grammar’s Great Hall, the competition was run online via Zoom which was a very interesting experience but also had many plus sides. For one thing, it was great as we were able to hear our teammates instead of shouting at each other like we would imagine doing in such a noisy atmosphere with thousands of students in a normal competition.
Throughout the day, we all played a significant role to get the results we were hoping for. Our team consisted of Isis Li, 6P, Milly Xu, 6L, Sahana Vivekanandhan, 6B, Jacquelyn Zhou, 6E, Chloe Wang, 6L, Angela Tao, 6E, Isabelle Port, 6B, Jemma Hung, 6Y, and Grace Louw, 6M. We all contributed to different disciplines throughout the day.
In our weekly training sessions leading up to the competition, we were assigned two disciplines to practise and study. We worked hard in these sessions and always went back to class feeling like we had learned a lot so by the time the day arrived, we were thrilled to be giving it our best shot! On the day we were both excited and stressed, energised and at times tired, there was pride and disappointment and of course we felt challenged. It was such a fun day for the whole team!
STATE LIBRARY INCURSION
During Term 3 and amidst online learning, Year 6 thoroughly enjoyed an incursion to the State Library. Perfectly fitting for our Term 3 text type of narrative writing, we were ‘walked’ through the process of building the scene on an island and ‘plotting’ the important places and events, making the most of the terrain and spaces. Understanding how we can make our stories interesting and intriguing the audience with fantastical locations and magical abilities really engaged Year 6 to produce an array of enticing backdrops, ready for boundless imaginations to explore.
PASSION WITH PURPOSE
Term 1 saw Year 6 undertake their first Passion with Purpose project. We focused on our cultural backgrounds and were tasked with creating a way to share our cultural diversity.
During the weeks of preparation, we brainstormed ideas and questions, interviewed and researched content through our families, and created visually creative presentations from PowerPoints to posters. It took us several weeks to complete and perfect but the final products showed that the time had not gone to waste!
The culminating exhibition saw many girls wear traditional clothing, bake family recipes, share family stories and even share celebrations. Questions were asked and answered including how we share diversity with others and how we are diverse. It was amazing to see all the different types of presentations. Everyone learned so much about the students in Year 6 and their lives. We even had visits from our Year 5 students!
Passion with Purpose was all about diversity and how everyone is unique. It was amazing to recognise the many different cultures spread across Year 6 through this project. All of the girls enjoyed learning about other cultures and different people’s backgrounds.
Isabelle Port and Kathy Wang, 6BThe following week was the awards presentation day. We all came early to school with mixed emotions of anxiousness, nervousness, curiosity and excitement. We were thrilled to receive the result of first place in Art and Poetry and shocked to come first overall! Of course, we couldn’t have received these results without the people who helped us with our training so we would like to thank Mrs Medeiros, Miss Wynne and Mrs Meacock who helped make this possible.
Overall, this was an incredible experience which taught us how to work productively, efficiently, logically and creatively under a time limit and as a team. We feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity and we look forward to trying out again next year.
Jemma Hung, 6Y and Grace Louw, 6M
were thrilled to receive the result of first place in Art and Poetry and shocked to come first overall!
Year
OZHARVEST FEAST PROGRAM
Feast was a great experience for all of Year 6. We found out about Feast when Ronni Kahn AO, CEO of OzHarvest, came and talked to us about food waste! From there we had weekly slide shows that we had to fill out about our knowledge of food waste.
We watched videos and looked at documents to expand our knowledge.
Our Year 6 teachers surprised us with a visit to the TAS kitchens in the Senior School, it was amazing! We went up in classes and got to cook different recipes based on one of Australia’s top ten wasted foods.
My class got to cook banana pikelets with choc chips. Our teacher, Mrs Wilson, brought in bananas that may have gone to waste otherwise. We got to use all the kitchen equipment and work in groups. After the batter was prepared, we used a frypan to cook them. As a group we had to clean up and wash all the dishes that we used. Then we got to eat them!
Feast was such an amazing journey for all of Year 6 and we all learned so much!
Emily Englund, 6Y
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
YEAR 6 ONLINE LEARNING
Online learning was very different to normal school. It felt quite lonely at times without having friends and teachers around me while I was learning. Although we didn’t get to see our friends in person, we got to see them in calls. Pymble made online learning a real journey with the Pymlympics and the Li Cunxin talk. Things might not have been the same without people around us, but we still got to do a lot of things we would have done at school.
The Pymlympics was so enjoyable with all the different challenges we got to do while at home.
My favourite two challenges were the COVID-19 camp out and Isobake.
The COVID-19 camp out consisted of two options of camping indoors or/and outdoors. I got to do both. I loved getting to camp with my family. The Isobake really brought me happiness as I love to bake and got the chance to bake a cake for my
dad’s birthday. Pymlympics brought us laughs, cheers and so much more. I loved watching the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Although lockdown was a tough time, Pymble helped us through the whole journey. They brought joy to us through the beauty of background challenges every day. While things might have been a bit glitchy, the Pymble family showed resilience and got through it. Some things actually gave us different opportunities online. I know that normally in library sessions we only spend time with our literacy class but online we got to share books with the whole of Year 6. I definitely got good recommendations that I probably wouldn’t have gotten at school.
Online learning had its highs and lows, but I am so grateful for the wonderful equipment Pymble had and the opportunities the teachers gave us even if we were not at school.
Sophie Rigg, 6LJunior School Artworks
Junior School Artworks
Junior School Artworks
Junior School Strings
JUNIOR SCHOOL STRINGS
We started the year off normally in Strings. Everyone was enjoying being able to play together again. One of my favourite pieces was The Four Seasons by Vivaldi.
When we started online rehearsals, it was very strange and different. We couldn’t play together which made things hard, but I enjoyed how we could still collaborate through Microsoft Teams and make videos such as the one for Speech Day.
We worked on the Speech Day presentation all through Term 4. The piece was called Velocity and there were lots of different parts – just like there would be in face-to-face
rehearsals. There were parts for Violins 1, 2 and 3 as well as viola, cello and double bass.
I would like to thank Mrs Colbey and Mrs Crawford for their hard work and patience through online learning and for being twice as helpful as ever! I would also like to thank the tutors who were there for us through online learning as well as face-to-face.
Lily Xing, 5EYEAR 3 STRING ORCHESTRA
Recipes are often adjusted for various circumstances, but the essence remains the same. This year the recipe for orchestra was tweaked to accommodate the pandemic. Nonetheless, the ingredients for the Year 3 String Orchestra did not change. We, the musicians, were the ingredients, and our tools were delivered online.
With sincere understanding of the current health situation, we transformed and overcame the many frustrating challenges we encountered with online tools to deliver sublime pieces. Despite the occasional dropout in internet connection, and lack of physical interaction, we eagerly engaged in online rehearsals, and performed sections of the pieces as soloists rather than playing together as an orchestra. Initially, it felt a little daunting to play alone, but with the support and encouragement of our teachers, tutors, and the rest of the musicians in the orchestra, it became enjoyable and a far more meaningful and memorable experience.
We refined our pieces and finessed our timing and rhythms by listening to recordings and following backing tracks. At times, our metronomes raced like cheetahs, sprinting so fast to keep up with the pace of pieces like Velocity. The music chosen this year
was particularly quick and lively, and required extra practice. Whilst playing Falconer and Never Let Up, my bow furiously brushed my cello. I found that this year I sharpened my technique and elevated my passion for cello.
On behalf of all my fellow musicians, I extend our immense appreciation to our inspirational string teachers and tutors who guided and nurtured us throughout this tough year.
Sarah Tew, 3P
When we started online rehearsals, it was very strange and different.Choir Family Fun Day
Athletics Carnival
JUNIOR SCHOOL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
I stared determinedly at the finish line which was 100 metres away. My House cheered, a wave of green as the gun went off. BANG! The three other racers next to me took off, sprinting forward like lightning. I was coming last! My House cheered me on, giving me more energy as I tore across the track. The race was head-to-head, and I invested my last burst of energy and collapsed at the finish line, slightly behind the other runners.
The weather was hot and Zooper Doopers were given out. As this was my first year in the Junior School, I explored the food stalls that I didn’t have in the Preparatory School. There were many different Houses, whereas last year we only had four.
Each House and every girl tried their best and at the end of the day, everyone was a winner. This year’s carnival was exhilarating. I am looking forward to next year’s Athletics Carnival.
Isla Huang, Year 3Grace Louw, Year 6 Greta Campbell, Year 3 Amber Zhou, Year 4, Ella Zhou, Year 4, Amelia Browne, Year 3, Charlotte Wu, Year 3, Keeley Wang, Year 3 and Michelle Shi, Year 4 Eleanor Rowe and Blair Elliott, Year 5 Unfortunately, the annual Junior School Swimming Carnival was not held in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Athletics Carnival
JUNIOR SCHOOL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL RESULTS
Winning House
Goodlet
Junior Champion Gemma Dixon
Junior Runner Up Adele Cassidy
Senior Champion Amalia Bond
Senior Runner Up Claudia Wyatt
8 Years Champion Victoria Yu
9 Years Champion Amélie Rahme
10 Years Champion Gemma Dixon
11 Years Champion Amalia Bond
12 Years Champion Hayley Browne
Junior 800m
1st Gemma Dixon
2nd Adele Cassidy
3rd Jiayi Thong
11 Years 800m
1st Claudia Wyatt
2nd Amalia Bond
3rd Eve Clark
Senior 800m
1st Maya Ostapenko
2nd Hayley Browne
3rd Saja Abdel-Megeed
8 Years 100m
1st Victoria Yu
2nd Florence Cheng
3rd Lydia Chen
9 Years 100m
1st Amber Zhou
2nd Amélie Rahme
3rd Edith Cullinane
10 Years 100m
1st Jiayi Thong
2nd Aria Cheng
3rd Adele Cassidy
11 Years 100m
1st Amalia Bond
2nd Claudia Wyatt
3rd Christina Borocz
12 Years 100m
1st Audrey Lin
2nd Lily Mancey
3rd Maya Ostapenko
Junior 200m
1st Jiayi Thong
2nd Adele Cassidy
3rd Vivian Zhang
11 Years 200m
1st Amalia Bond
2nd Claudia Wyatt
3rd Eve Clark
Senior 200m
1st Maya Ostapenko
2nd Lily Mancey
3rd Hayley Browne
Junior Shot Put
1st Heidi Ferreira
2nd Gemma Dixon
3rd Adele Cassidy
11 Years Shot Put
1st Amalia Bond
2nd Claudia Wyatt
3rd Rose Jones
Senior Shot Put
1st Arin Yoon
2nd Georgia Yuen
3rd Mia Chen
Junior Discus
1st Adele Cassidy
2nd Gemma Dixon
3rd Ruby Makar
11 Years Discus
1st Eve Clark
2nd Amalia Bond
3rd Claudia Wyatt
Senior Discus
1st Sophie Rigg
2nd Hayley Browne
3rd Maya Ostapenko
Junior Long Jump
1st Gemma Dixon
2nd Adele Cassidy
3rd Emma Lloyd
11 Years Long Jump
1st Amalia Bond
2nd Claudia Wyatt
3rd Eve Clark
Senior Long Jump
1st Lily Mancey
2nd Cindy Jin
3rd Katherine Boyce
Junior High Jump
1st Gemma Dixon
2nd Greta Campbell
3rd Adele Cassidy
11 Years High Jump
1st Amalia Bond
2nd Eve Clark
3rd Claudia Wyatt
Senior High Jump
1st Hayley Browne
2nd Maya Ostapenko
2nd Serena Cummings
Junior School Final Assemblies
JUNIOR SCHOOL FINAL ASSEMBLIES
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we celebrated the end of the academic year and our girls’ achievements at final assemblies for each year group.
Music Encouragement
Imogen Martin
Principal’s Project Winner
Emma Popli
Principal’s Project Winner
Chloe Morrison
Year 4
Academic Achievement
Adele Cassidy, Yuan Hui Chen, Isabella Dong, Arabella Hoang, Selina Jiang, Shihan (Angela) Mao, Charlotte Sadler, Iris Tang, Anika Verma, Rebecca Zhou
Academic Endeavour
Madison Aikman, Zoe Alphandary, Olivia Chan, Lauren Chen, Haneesha Lidder, Arianna Ng, Charlotte Pang, Phoebe Scott
Citizenship
Hilary Eyers, Jessamy Facer, Betty Han, Nikita Orena Barlin
Award Recipients
Year 3
Academic Achievement
Zoe Chong, Meera Gohulan, Zoe Liang, Bianca Ng, Lakshi Rajeev, Sarah Tew, Trisha Viswanathan, Adeline Wu, Michelle Xing, Charlotte Xue, Junwen (Vivian) Zhang, Ruike (Olivia) Zhou
Academic Endeavour
Madison Burns, Valerie Chung, Diya Dhanpal, Olivia Dinnie, Carolyn Dou, Alice Hockley, Ria Iyer, Hayley Nguyen, Emma Popli, Mandy Zhou
Citizenship
Audrey Lee, Wendy Pan, Izabella Prokop, Arya Shanmugaratnam, Bethany Tucker
Religious Education
Elena An, Emily Deutscher, Rosie Han, Kavya Surana, Olivia Wang
Sports Encouragement
Greta Campbell
Year 5
Academic Achievement
Annabella Bayfield, Tianlin (Celine) Cai, Nicole Fan, Harriet Gregory, Estelle Lee, Elizabeth Macpherson, Jessica Persson, Chloe Shao, Peilin (Alina) Shi, Celine Soo, Eva Still, Kathy Wang, Leahara Wijesuriya, Emily Woods-McConville, Aurora Zhang
Academic Endeavour
Eesha Adusumilli, Amalia Bond, Sarah Joung, Stacy Sharp, Yu Ham (Kate) Szeto, Jiayi Thong, Allison Wang, Veeva Xie, Yuecheng Xu, Stephanie Yuan, Elaine Zhang, Hanzhang (Julia) Zhu
Citizenship
Emily Finucane, Sophie Kidd, Abigail Martin, Eleanor Rowe, Yuna Shin, Chloe Tian-Cheong
Religious Education
Megan Chia, Heidi Ferreira, Lucy Gao, Malaika Rasheed, Rosanna Rew, Pia Vandeleur
Religious Education
Isabelle Ha, Hayley Ip, Mikayla Sun, Amna Syed
Sports Encouragement
Charlie Slater
Music Encouragement
Annabel Makeham
Sports Encouragement Eve Clark
Music Encouragement
Callista EskenaziYear 6
Academic Achievement
Katherine Boyce, Mia Chan, Emily Chiang, Alexandra Hargraves, Jemma Hung, Isis Li, Scarlett Li, Celine Liu, Leila Rich, Stella Sharp, Angela Tao, Varada Vinay, Sahana Vivekanandhan, Ka Hei (Kitty) Yip, Christina Zhao
Academic Endeavour
Charlotte Blaiklock, Amelia Carlan, Serena Cummings, Zhounan (Nancy) He, Charlotte King, Jiani (Jenny) Ling, Grace Louw, Chloe Wang, Stella Xu, Jiuchun (Joy) Yin, Ruohan (Isabella) Zhang, Jacquelyn Zhu
Citizenship
Jessica Allman, Kayra Amir, Emily Englund, Irisara O’Brien, Annie Pennington, Ciara Sweeney
Junior School Final Assemblies
Religious Education
Haniya Abdul Aziz, Peita Christofis, Yui Tung (Cherry) Lau, Abby Lim, Zara Orr, Kyraa Vig
Sports Encouragement
Sophie Rigg
Music Encouragement
Jacklyn Chen
Vex Robotics World Championship Winner
Hanlei (Helen) Zheng
Special Awards
Excellence in Sport
Lily Mancey
Attitude and Dedication to Sport
Isabella Woodall
Sportsmanship
Amelia Bicego
Commitment to Music
Ashleigh Song
Excellence in Music
Jiuchun (Joy) Yin
Contribution to the Life of the Junior School
Mia Chan, Serena Cummings, Eloise Fisher, Hongyu (Cindy) Jin, Amelia Lee, Saskia Nicholson, Isabelle Port, Leila Rich, Angela Tao, Isabella Woodall, Stella Xu, Arin Yoon, Yifei (Emily) Yu, Ruohan (Isabella) Zhang
Kathleen Bent Prize for Good Citizenship
Georgia Yuen
Caroline Strong Prize for Good Citizenship
Alannah Tang
Rebecca Cooper Prize for English
Peilin (Alina) Shi
The Vicki Waters Courage Award
Anjali Shah
Rosalie Ramsay Junior Academic Scholarship 2022
Isis Li, Christina Zhao, Yifei (Emily) Yu
House Cup Winner
Goodlet
Layla Abdel-Megeed House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 6
2021
Saja Abdel-Megeed House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 6
Haniya Abdul Aziz House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 6
Jessica Allman House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 5
Kayra Amir House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 5
Lynn An House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Meredith Au House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 3
Isabella Aun House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 5
Jessica Bao House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 1
Emily Bartrop House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 6
Amelia Bicego House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 3
Charlotte Blaiklock House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 3
Justina Blanchard House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Katherine Boyce House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Hayley Browne House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 4
Amelia Carlan House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Mia Chan House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 5
Angela Chen House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 1
Endora Chen House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 3
Jacklyn Chen House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Mia Chen House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Sophia Chen House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 1
Emily Chiang House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 5
Peita Christofis House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 5
Celeste Craig House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 5
Elisa Cui House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 3
Serena Cummings House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 5
Abani Dhaliwal House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 4
Gillian Dow House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 2
Emily Englund House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Clare Ferreira House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 5
Eloise Fisher House: Marden Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Sienna Ford House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 4
Eliza-Rose Griffiths House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 5
Ella Handley-Greaves House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Alexandra Hargraves House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Elle Harsany House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 5
Nancy He House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 5
Bonnie Hebblewhite House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 4
Isabelle Ho House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 5
Jemma Hung House: Lang Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Cindy Jin House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Annabelle Johnston House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Sanaa Kapoor House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 5
Rieza Khan House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 5
Charlotte King House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Zara Kinniburgh House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 6
Nazgol Koochakzadeh House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 3
Karen Kuang House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 6
2021
Lucy Lakeman House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Sanaya Lakhani House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 3
Tiffany Lan House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Cherry Lau House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 6
Amelia Lee House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 3
Jaimee Leung House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 5
Annabel Lewthwaite House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Annabelle Li House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 3
Dorothy Li House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 3
Isis Li House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Scarlett Li House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Naomi Liem House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 3
Abby Lim House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 3
Audrey Lin House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 5
Xiaoyin Lin House: Marden Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Jenny Ling House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 5
Celine Liu House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 3
Cindy Liu House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 6
Rena Liu House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 3
Tara Liu House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 3
Grace Louw House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 2
Lily Mancey House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 2
Monique Marinovic House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 3
Lucinda Martin House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 4
Grace McSweeney House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 5
Yvette Moodie House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 5
Olivia Moon House: Marden Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Harriet Murphy House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 5
Ilesha Nair House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Mie Naito House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 4
Isabel Neal House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 5
Sophie Ngai House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 6
Saskia Nicholson House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Irisara O’Brien House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 6
Allegra OddoneBransgrove House: Marden Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Eden Orena Barlin House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Zara Orr House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Maya Ostapenko House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 3
Victoria O’Sullivan House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 4
Kristen Pang House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 6
Grace Park House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 1
Annie Pennington House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Isabelle Port House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 5
Leila Rich House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Sophie Rigg House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 5
Leura Sayers House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Ella-Marie Scott House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Anjali Shah House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 5
Stella Sharp House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 5
Gabriella Sheh House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 5
Ashleigh Song House: Marden Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Tara Sproules-Nath House: Marden Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Claudia Stretton House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 5
Lucy Sun House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Ciara Sweeney House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Annabel Tamas House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 5
Kaela Tan House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 3
Alannah Tang House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 4
Angela Tao House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Charlotte Thistlewood House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 5
Sophia Vajedsamiei House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 4
Cassandra Vielman House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 3
Kyraa Vig House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 5
Varada Vinay House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 5
Sahana Vivekanandhan House: Lang Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Chloe Wang House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 1
Daisey Wang House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 5
Kathy Wang House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Lillian Wang House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 1
Raina Wang House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Lara Waterhouse House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Ruby Watson House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 5
Vivian Wei House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 4
Maile Wilson House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 5
Isabella Woodall House: Marden Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Addison Woods House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Ella-Rose Wu House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 5
Caitlin Xi House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 2
Camille Xiao House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 1
Milly Xu House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Stella Xu House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 1
Fiona Xue House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Joy Yin House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 5
Kitty Yip House: Marden Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Sooan Yoo House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 3
Arin Yoon House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 3
Isabelle Younger House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 5
Emily Yu House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 3
Georgia Yuen House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 3
Catherine Zeng House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 5
Emily Zhai House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Isabella Zhang House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 5
Nicole Zhang House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 3
Christina Zhao House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Emily Zhao House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 5
Year 6 2021
YEAR 6 BURN BRIGHT LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP
At the start of Term 1 Year 6 took part in the Burn Bright Leadership Workshop. The workshop went for a day and during that time we learned about becoming good leaders and the qualities we need. We did many fun games and activities that linked to our main goal, becoming a good leader.
Many of the Year 6 students agreed that ‘Who Stole Year 6’s Superhero’ and the huge Mexican wave were their favourite parts of the workshop because they were the most engaging of the activities. One of the facilitators told one girl a long story and she had to pass it on to some others and eventually the story got super confusing! We learned that if you hear a story that relates to someone else and it gets passed on too many times it might end up being untrue. It was also quite funny. The facilitators also shared many great stories from their childhood that we could relate to. They did a great job in creating the balance between learning and games.
We learned teamwork by a game favoured by many, ‘Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar’. One by one teams got to accuse other teams of stealing the cookie. As a group everyone had to stand up together, say not us, sit back down, stand back up and accuse someone else. If you did not do it correctly, your whole team went to the back of the line.
For weeks after the workshop girls were still talking about how much fun they had and how they knew exactly what they were going to do throughout the year to show their understanding of what a great leader looks like.
Overall, the day was an enormous success that resulted in some amazing new leaders. Everyone had a go, tried something new and ended up leading our Junior School with such care. The Burn Bright facilitators did such a fabulous job. We hope the future leaders of the Junior School can get an opportunity like this so that they can learn just as much as we did. What Year 6 learned at the Burn Bright Leadership Workshop will stick with us for many years to come.
Monique Marinovic, 6P and Charlotte Thistlewood, 6M
Secondary SCHOOL
Lucy McLean and EmilyAcademic Learning
Thriving Online
Term 3 began with an unexpected return to online learning, with COVID-19 restrictions sending students back to class on Microsoft Teams. Face-to-face learning and assessments were put on hold, nevertheless, Pymble students adapted incredibly to the transition of returning to online learning. Even with the air of uncertainty surrounding each week, thanks to the hard work of staff, Pymble was able to make a seamless transition onto Microsoft Teams. This move online also brought Year 11 exams and Year 12 trial exams onto a digital platform, with students invigilated over a Microsoft Teams call to preserve exam conditions. We commend all students for their resilience and adaptability in adjusting to difficult conditions.
ACADEMIC LEARNING CAPTAINS’ REPORT
Heading into 2021, we assisted Mr Raymond and Mrs Stanfield by attending weekly meetings to construct the Pymble Learning Framework. With the adoption of new resources such as Vision Valley and movement past the ‘2020 vision’, we worked to represent the student voice in discussions surrounding the future direction of Pymble learning and explored how academics can be best structured to support student success and wellbeing.
Summer Series
Over the summer holidays, girls from the Secondary School participated in the Summer Series. With a choice of four different courses, the girls made the most of their break by participating in the multi-day event over Microsoft Teams to build their skills and confidence. Students were able to choose from Learning to Lead in Sport, Careers Kickstarter, Be Great and Illustrate! and Design and Enterprise which were run by a combination of Pymble staff and experts from external companies. Led by Mrs Maksimovic, the series was a stunning success, with girls able to develop themselves and add to their Pymble Passports over Microsoft Teams, all from the comfort of their own homes.
Out of Hours Study
The After Hours Study program offered helpful structure and support to Senior girls throughout the year. Every Monday to Thursday and on Sundays, the Kate Mason Building and the Conde Library were open to quiet study for girls to complete homework and assessments. This program was continued into Week 2 of the April school holidays for students wishing to study quietly in a distraction-free environment.
In the Term 3 holidays, Year 12 girls were also able to sign up for study camp, run by the indefatigable Mrs Olsen, where they had access to experienced academic staff able to assist with marking, problem solving, and understanding content and questions. With dedicated exam rooms, collaborative planning rooms and catering throughout the week, girls were equipped with everything they needed in order to prepare for their upcoming exams.
Back Row: Angela Yang, Madison Lyster, Amy Watts, Emma Liu, Isabel Dean, Nina Breckenridge, Sophie Coughlan, Olivia Inkster, Jessica Scott
Third Row: Lihini Jayasekera, Lara Albany, Fiona Fu, Matilda Geddes, Kirsten Fong, Sophia Ge, Samira Toor, Camilla Reynolds, Annika Johnson, Chloe Duncan, Jasmine Zhi
Second Row: Meera Barani, Holly Campbell, Georgina Makeham, Annabelle Ainsworth, Jenhui Lau, Emma Nirui, Jana Chan, Zoey Chen, Caitlyn Kim, Cia Fotias
Front Row: Angelica Tan, Anika Perera, Lara Barnouti, Rene Liu, Gloria Kim, Dr Kate Hadwen (Principal), Tahmara Thomas, Isabella Hurst, Rhea Bhatti, Mia Credaro, Deblina Roy
Absent: Ami Naito
da Vinci Decathlon
DA VINCI DECATHLON
The da Vinci Decathlon is an intellectually stimulating competition hosted annually by Knox Grammar School. Students train in teams of ten (eight members and two reserves) to compete across ten disciplines, including Art and Poetry, Cartography, Code Breaking, Creative Producers, Engineering, English, Ideation, Maths, Science, and Legacy (General Knowledge). Whilst each member brings expertise in a particular discipline, excellent collaborative skills are also required to ensure success across all disciplines of the team competition.
Taking part in the Decathlon is both challenging and rewarding. Students are responsible for preparing for the competition and meeting weekly with their teams to practise past papers. They are also required to attend a Training Day whereby they complete a mock competition. This year the State round was more demanding than usual, taking place online. Students were sent their papers at the start of each round, which they had to print, complete and upload in the required time. With the usual glitches and printer jams, the library was abuzz with energy and anticipation. The students’ hard work and persistence paid off, with all teams (Years 7 to 11) achieving first, second or third place in one or more of the disciplines. The Years 7 and 8 teams performed supremely across all disciplines, placing first and second respectively in the State. This earned the Year 7 team the prestigious opportunity of competing in the two-day National Decathlon six weeks later.
With the State competition under their belt, the Year 7 team, consisting of Isabella Attard, Grace Beck, Kiki Chen, Amber Li, Alice Mao, Katherine Pan, Ruhani Surana and Alissa Xue, set about preparing for the Nationals. This meant brushing up on their general knowledge about ‘Space’ – the theme for the 2021 Decathlon and continuing to complete past papers. The team was thankful for the hard work of the reserves, who continued to attend each meeting in the lead up to the Nationals. Rosa Kim saved the day by responding to a late-night e-mail from the coach, Mrs Tarrant, on the eve of the Nationals and agreeing to take the place of an unwell team member.
The Nationals involved two events, with the first of these –the Junior Race Around Sydney, taking place in the CBD. In the pouring rain, students donned their face masks and took part in a scavenger hunt, firstly at Hyde Park Barracks, before moving to The Rocks. After a hard day of sleuthing, stopping for lunch at City Extra with all the other teams from NSW was a great reward.
There were more rewards to be had though for the Year 7 Pymble team, which was crowned the 2021 champions of the Junior Race Around Sydney.
With only a night’s rest in between, the Year 7 team fronted up for the second part of the Decathlon. Whilst this event is normally bustling with students, the pandemic kept many away and the students who attended were socially-distanced across the Great Hall at Knox Grammar School. The Year 7 Pymble team was not daunted by the auspicious occasion and fought tenaciously for the best scores in each of the ten disciplines. To the Pymble girls’ delight, they came second overall, taking out first place in Science and Legacy. Although this meant the team could not go on to the Internationals, they returned home with a smile and a medal.
Overall, the da Vinci Decathlon was an exhilarating journey, from the training stage all the way through to the Nationals, with each team member giving their all and working together to achieve their maximum potential. The team would like to thank all the staff who gave of their time to support this memorable journey.
Kiki Chen, Alissa Xue, Katherine Pan, Grace Beck, Alice Mao, Ruhani Surana, Amber Li, Isabella Attard and Rosa Kim, Year 7
Online Learning
ONLINE LEARNING
After Premier Berejiklian made the tough choice to switch schools to online learning, teachers, students and staff welcomed the wintry third term in a state of hibernation. With the rise of new restrictions came new complications, hindering the joys of the classroom, the reunion of friends and an array of Co-curricular activities. Despite the many troubles, Pymble remained resilient, perpetuating school spirit and enthusiasm through lessons, ensemble practices and club meetings on Microsoft Teams. During the long months in lockdown, the College staff remained alert to the mental health and wellbeing of students. Thanks to fitness sessions with Jack and Jules, one-on-one conversations in Compass time and Dr Hadwen’s Wellbeing podcast, girls stayed healthy and strong through the tough times of COVID-19.
“My experience with online learning was enjoyable. It allowed me to take care of my wellbeing. The only challenge with online learning was that sometimes I had network connectivity issues.” – Maya Hu, Year 10
“Thanks to the efforts of our Pymble staff, transitioning to an online platform was extremely successful. They combined regular classes with free periods to create a comfortable school-life balance for students. With the encouragement of teachers, we engaged in sporting and social activities and maintained a healthy lifestyle during online learning.”
Jessie Xie, Year 10
“Pymble Online taught me the importance of being together. The teachers were so supportive and really made the online learning experience as fun as possible. The amazing IT team and the Upper School Administration staff made the experience so smooth and their constant reaching out to us made me feel connected to the school” – Christy Xue, Year 10
With the need to continue schooling, teachers of all subjects successfully moved both practical and theory lessons into every student’s home. During PE lessons, teachers set up sporting and exercise tutorials to keep the girls moving, including activities such as aerobics, yoga, Just Dance and cardio. In Art, they creatively adapted to accommodate for mediums available at home. For example, in Year 10, the unit for Ai Weiwei pottery had transformed a practice intended for ceramic vases into paper mache. The College staff also brought an interactive element to online assemblies through interviews with former Olympians, storytelling and live cooking.
From creating enjoyable performances and interviews in assemblies to hilarious interactive activities, such as the Year 9 Daily GIF Challenge, staff made online learning fun and enjoyable for the students. In light of the recent Tokyo games, Pymble girls hosted their own version of the games, Pymlympics 2021!
Pymlympics provided a wide variety of activities for Kindergarten to Year 12 students to engage with their community, become more active in lockdown, reach out to friends, and have fun while earning points for their Houses. There were activities ranging from cooking challenges, outside walks, pet challenges, letter writing and even a socially distanced dance off competition.
The online transition of many Cocurricular activities kept students busy during the dreary weeks of lockdown. Although some activities which required school facilities could not be transferred, many activities were very successful in keeping us up to date with various skills. Students who did Robotics had weekly sessions hosted for both mechanical and coding, allowing teams to prepare for the upcoming season. Music Online saw wonderful guest speakers including Francine Bell and Anita Collins, who inspired the school’s musicians.
The student leaders of the school were also actively engaged in running initiatives, hoping to entertain the girls during lockdown.
Upper School Leaders kickstarted the Read by Upper School with Love project. This fantastic initiative allowed students in Years 9 and 10 to read storybooks to the Preparatory students. House pet competitions, Covid Cook, and Sending Love were only a few of the wide range of activities that took place.
Sasha Wong, Year 10, and Chelsea Shi, Year 9
ENGLISH
This year saw many exciting opportunities for students in their English studies. The Year 11 students had the opportunity to attend a presentation given by Kirli Saunders. She is a proud Gunai Woman, renowned poet, and author of a number of children’s books. Many students commented on her passion for writing as well as the connection they felt to her subject matter.
As a part of their study of Post Colonialism, English Extension students focused on Jean Rhys’ classic novel Wide Sargasso Sea. They were very fortunate to participate in a context workshop with ex-Pymble teacher Mr Nigel Stanley. His experiences of life in the Caribbean provided great insights and aided students’ understanding of the novel.
The ‘Writing Room’ was an initiative led by Mrs Reynolds and Ms Labram. This was an opportunity for Year 12 students to have an undisturbed, supervised space to work on their creative writing after school on Thursdays.
We also saw the return of the Literary Magazine this year. This was an opportunity for Years 7 to 12 students to have their English work showcased to the whole school. We were the editors and it was wonderful to read all of the students’ work from across the three schools.
English in a COVID-19 World
Following the move to lockdown, English at Pymble adapted to online platforms. Teachers modified lessons onto Google sites, Google slides and introduced Jamboard to support online learning. By doing so, they were able to effectively retain and develop a collaborative and inclusive learning experience during English. Additionally, the movement to digital learning allowed for a broader range of interaction across the globe – including live lectures from across Sydney. Our Year 12 girls were lucky to attend one such delivered by Axel Kruse from the University of Sydney about their texts on T. S. Eliot and Richard III. Year 11 students had a special lecture with Dr Anitha Pillai who was a teacher of Creative Writing at NUS in Singapore.
Mic Drop and English Captain Note
As English Captains, we thoroughly enjoyed our role over the past year. It was a difficult yet rewarding experience. We were excited about initiatives we set in place such as ‘Mic Drop’. Similar to the much-loved Poetry Slam, Mic Drop is aimed at giving anyone a free space where they can express themselves and their opinions. The ultimate goal is to create a non-competitive environment where any student can practise communicating, negotiating, public speaking and debating.
Interviews
We interviewed two keen English students, Helena Tang, Year 7 and Louise Bennett, Year 11:
Helena Tang, Year 7
How do you study for English? As I only came to Australia in Year 4, I used to find it hard to understand words and how to use grammar. But because of my love of reading, I started borrowing books from the library whenever I had time. I used to write all the words I didn’t understand in a notebook and when I got home, I would go on my laptop and search up the meanings, and I still use this way to improve. Each week, I would also write either an essay or a narrative so that when there was an exam I didn’t have to panic because I was prepared. I love how I can sit quietly in my room with a pen in my hand and create a whole new world with amazing characters.
What was your favourite text that you explored in English this year? My favourite text was the book called King of Shadows by Susan Cooper. I like the way the author introduced the world of the Elizabethan era in a clear and meaningful way which I found easy to understand. The book is a great blend of the modern world and the Elizabethan. King of Shadows had a huge impact on me. After reading the book, I was curious about the world of William Shakespeare, and the way each of his plays has a deep moral about ourselves and humanity. My class was given the opportunity to research about him in English, which I loved and enjoyed a lot. I cannot wait until the next time we can get to know Shakespeare and his plays more.
Louise Bennett, Year 11
How do you study for English? To study English, I try to get really acquainted with my texts and the themes that they explore! I like to annotate my books and put tabs where I notice a recurring theme or motif, which makes writing essays much easier. Doing some academic reading on JSTOR was also very helpful in formulating well informed and structured arguments.
ENGLISH
What was your favourite text that you explored in English this year? I really enjoyed reading and unpacking Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys in English Extension. An eyeopening, post-colonial rewrite of the classic Jane Eyre, Wide Sargasso Sea is rich with metaphor and emotion. Wide Sargasso Sea is the type of book that changes the way you read. Rhys’ exploration of the voices that were silenced in Jane Eyre is profound and heartbreaking. It taught me to never gloss over or dismiss the portrayal of a secondary character again – I now will always wonder what their stories are, where they came from and what motivated their actions.
We also interviewed one of our current English teachers, alumni Ms Julia Green (2011), as well as one of our former Pymble teachers, Mr Stanley. Ms Green has been teaching at Pymble for just one year while Mr Stanley taught at Pymble for 19 years!
Ms Julia Green
What does English mean to you? For me, English is about empowerment and compassion. Through reading and writing, we can develop our confidence and ability to communicate with others about anything; we can participate in rich discussions, feel connected and elevate our voices so that we are heard and represented. English provides us with the skills to come to the table and express our concerns and experiences and be active members of our wider communities. This, I believe, encourages compassion, empathy and understanding in an increasingly complex and diverse world. Learning English (and other languages) means opening up the conversation for everyone to participate in, so we can listen and learn from each other.
Why did you choose to become an English teacher? I became an English teacher because I believe in the power of stories. They have had an important role in my life, and I am thankful for the beautiful narratives and works of art that others have composed. They can inspire us to explore, reflect and make connections so we can make better sense of who we are. Stories can build a more inclusive and empathetic world and it is so important that we continue to teach and share them.
How has your experience/context impacted how you teach English? Growing up between Japan and Australia has taught me the importance of teaching for cultural inclusivity and understanding. My experiences as a student, traveller and teacher have led me to appreciate that schools are a safe space where students from diverse backgrounds can connect through learning and understanding. As a result, I am interested in understanding intersectionality and representations of identity and believe education and literature can act as a powerful tool in working towards achieving social justice. I hope I can help students find their unique voices. When I was at Pymble, I was fortunate to have had wonderful teachers who made school a supportive environment that encouraged my growth and fostered a curiosity and passion for life-long learning. This is also my goal.
Mr Nigel Stanley
What does English mean to you? The English language is how I usually communicate. It is a very elastic and compendious tongue and most of the rules which govern it are consistently broken by those who use it and love it the most. This flexibility and lack of hard and fast rules are, perhaps, the characteristics that make it so acceptable and useful in so many countries today. Teaching it has taken me to interesting places.
Why did you choose to become an English teacher? My mother used to tell me constantly, “Whatever you do, don’t become a teacher” but when I left university I wanted to travel and teaching English was a good way to fund a travel bug at that time. All sorts of places in the world wanted English teachers so I took a post-graduate course in teaching English. I told my mother, “It’s only for a couple of years, I want to travel as much of the world as I can.” I met my wife at this time who also wanted to travel and we set off for our first adventure in 1971 when we went to Jamaica. Our older daughter was born there. Jamaica was our first experience of living in a culture very different from our own. When we got back to the UK it all seemed drab and predictable and within 12 months we were living in Kenya where our second daughter was born. We travelled for another 17 years after that before finally settling in Australia. Both our daughters are married, one in Sydney and one in Canberra, and there are five grandchildren.
How has your experience/context impacted how you teach English? It would take a major work of some 500 closely printed pages to even begin to deal with this question. In general, I have attempted to avoid impacts in my life. Car crashes, bicycle pileups, planks falling on my head, fisticuffs and pugilism have never been attractive to me. Impacts are not pleasant things, as a rule but everything we experience affects how we use language. A I Richards (you can google him) said, “… to ask about the meanings of words is to ask about everything.” I like to think I have opened up some minds to in depth curiosity.
Tahmara Thomas and Jasmine Zhi, Captains of EnglishIt is with great sadness that we acknowledge the sudden passing of Mr Nigel Stanley in December. The idea for the interview, printed here, came from students Nigel met just last year. So intrigued were they with a teacher like him, erudite, personable, self-effacing and with a wicked sense of humour, his knowledge of and delight in literature, was unsurpassed.
Those of us who knew him will miss him greatly. We have lost a wonderful mentor and friend. We are sure the wider Pymble community will mourn his passing and we extend our deepest condolences to his family.
Geography
GEOGRAPHY
Despite COVID-19 challenges, Geography students had an exciting year filled with various fun and interactive learning opportunities. Students from Years 7 to 12 engaged with their studies, with many developing a love and passion for Geography.
Year 7
Year 7 Geography students started their Pymble studies with an excited attitude as they learned about liveability, water in the world and globalisation. Whilst learning about liveability, Year 7 Geography students were lucky to engage with a presentation from Dr Hadwen to further develop their understanding of Pymble’s suburb and Sydney.
Year 9
Year 9 Geography students had lots of fun this year as they expanded their Geography knowledge by studying topics including ‘Coastal Management’, ‘Spatial Inequality’, Changing Places’ and ‘Sustainable Biomes’. Although the cohort was unable to go on an excursion to the Northern Beaches, they were still able to learn in an interactive and practical manner as they designed and made cakes to demonstrate coastal processes and management strategies.
Year 9 Geography students studied the meaning of food security and the importance of bees and insects to our local biomes. In collaboration with our Pymble horticulturist, Sarah, we were able to walk down to the Agriculture Plot and study our native bee colony.
Our geographers were challenged to answer the following questions:
• Can the world produce enough food to feed everyone?
• Who suffers with food insecurity? How many people are there? Where do they live? How can we help?
• How do bees solve environmental issues?
• What makes a flower more attractive than another?
Year 10
Year 10 Geography students were able to have a real impact in planning the future of Sydney Science Park, as Pymble continued its partnership with the CSIRO Urban Living Lab, providing invaluable experiences to students in learning about urban development and planning. Students were lucky to go on an excursion to Luddenham, where they could begin to visualise a new city and collect data to aid their research and development of solutions to various challenges that arise with urban development. Although this practical learning was a highlight for many of the students, others enjoyed engaging with topics including ‘Terrorism’, ‘Refugees’, ‘The Geography of Disease’ and ‘Australia’s Neighbours’.
Year 11
Students in Year 11 had a wonderful year studying ‘Biophysical Interactions’, ‘Cultural Integration’, ‘Population’ and ‘Natural Resource Use’. The cohort went on an excursion to Bantry Bay where they collected primary data to discover the impacts of human development on the environment and view various interactions between the different environmental spheres. The weather was perfect and smiles were abundant as students explored the bushland and creeks. Year 11 girls also completed their Senior Geography Projects, choosing their own focus area and gathering primary and secondary data to investigate it and develop their research skills.
Year 12
Year 12 Geography students embraced their final year of Geography by studying urban places, ecosystems at risk and people and economic activity. The Year 12 girls went on an exciting overnight trip to the Hunter Valley as they took their learning outside the classroom. They explored the wetland ecosystem, conducted experiments to gather primary research, and visited a vineyard to deepen their understanding of viticulture and the winemaking industry. We wish the Year 12 cohort all the best as they finish their Pymble journey and thank them for their enthusiasm and dedication to Geography.
Madison Lyster, Captain of GeographyMadison Lyster, Holly Campbell and Emma Liu, Year 11 Jessica Bird, Madison Gram, Annika Ferguson and Freya Gordon, Year 11
we were able to walk down to the Agriculture Plot and study our native bee colony.
Business Studies
BUSINESS STUDIES
She Maps Drone Incursion
In Term 2, Year 9 students attended an incursion led by the She Maps program. The incursion aimed to teach girls the role and function of drones in modern society and how they were utilised in various industries to provide them with a practical understanding of the changing nature of the business environment. The girls received the opportunity to fly the drones manually and through coding and worked together to navigate challenges successfully. The She Maps program encouraged the Commerce students to think about how the world continues to advance technologically and equipped them with a helpful insight into the future workplace in a fun and interactive way.
Wheely Gourmet Incursion
During Term 2, the Year 11 Business Studies girls attended an incursion from Wheely Gourmet, a small food truck and catering business owned by Cris Bosevski. The incursion aimed to deepen and broaden the students’ understanding of what they had been learning in their ‘Business Planning’ and ‘Business Management’ units. Cris shared his experience in starting a business and spoke about the various aspects of running a business, including what it takes to run one successfully. His insight provided valuable knowledge that the girls were able to note down and add to what they had been learning in class. Cris built a comfortable and engaging learning environment where the girls were able to ask plenty of questions and participate in discussion. Finally, the incursion was topped off with a delicious taste of his burgers for lunch!
“Having Cris come in for our incursion provided an insider perspective as to what we had been learning in class which helped to add depth to my understanding.”
– Jade Chen, Year 11Special Guest Speaker
At the start of their ‘Business Management’ unit, the Year 11 girls were privileged to have Dr Hadwen come in as a guest speaker and talk about how Pymble, as a business, operates. The insightful discussion sparked intrigue and conversation amongst the students who were keen to learn more about the business aspect of our school. Dr Hadwen spoke about the numerous considerations the College has to take and delved into the financal side of things, showing the girls how Pymble allocates and spends revenue across the different aspects of our school. All students left the talk with newfound knowledge on the various business influences and extensive business aspects that were fundamental to consider to run and manage our school successfully. It was most definitely an eye-opening experience for many.
Thank You
COVID-19 did not limit the vast array of opportunities and learning experiences our girls had this year. A special thanks to all staff who created such a dynamic and interactive learning environment for our students. Your dedication to inspiring girls to take elective and senior subjects with so much drive and passion was truly inspiring.
Emma Liu, Captain of Business Studies
Economics
ECONOMICS
2021 was a fantastic year for Economics at the College. Not only did all students persevere in their studies, but many continued their passion for the subject in organisations such as the Young Entrepreneurs Society (YES). This year students were invited to engage directly with the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) research into current economic conditions and to test resources and provide feedback. The generous opportunities made available to our HSC students particularly enriched their learning and enabled the opening of a valuable dialogue with younger students. Senior students were keen to engage with the business community through their visit to EY where they participated in a panel discussion focusing on career opportunities and progression for women. Middle, Upper and Senior School students also participated in the ASX Share Market Game with considerable success. They were able to practise their classroom learning and develop their investment skills. Overall, Pymble Economics students should be incredibly proud of the contributions they made to the subject this year.
ASX Share Market Game
In 2021 students across the school participated in the ASX Share Market Game. Students invested a hypothetical $50,000 into the ASX200 and bought/sold shares according to the real time market, which was very volatile during this period. It was an exciting experience with many girls making a profit on their $50,000. The whole experience allowed students to implement what they had been learning in the classroom, further impacting their learning in a positive way. Overall, the ASX Share Market Game was an exciting and enjoyable experience.
Year 12 RBA Excursion
In Term 2, Year 12 Economics students ventured into Sydney’s CBD to visit the RBA and to the Sydney offices of global professional services firm EY. At the RBA, students toured the currency museum and participated in discussions about economic conditions during the COVID-19 era. This was informed by presentations from graduate economists and macroeconomic modellers from the RBA, who advise the Board on monetary policy. At EY, Chief Economist Jo Masters provided a private sector perspective on this topic, enriching student understanding of the dynamic nature of the economy. Students were also inspired by the experiences of three of EY’s business leaders: Lynn Kraus, Astrid Beemster and Jodie Fogale. It was a rare and memorable experience for the students to hear such poignant insights from these role models.
“It was such a fun and informative experience. We visited the RBA and learned about the history of the RBA and Australian currency and implementation of monetary policy, which was really insightful. We were also fortunate to listen to some inspirational female economists from EY.” – Eisha Bhardwaj, Year 12
History, Society and Ethics
HISTORY
Despite the setbacks of 2021, it was a great year for History. Secondary School students developed their appreciation for History in and outside the classroom, generating skills and knowledge that will support them throughout their academic, personal and professional lives. The enthusiasm and participation this year was commendable, with the Department providing many opportunities for students to further their learning.
As History Captains, we had the privilege of speaking at our school Reconciliation Week and Anzac Day services, where we explored the ideas surrounding the ‘others’ in history, being those whose stories are constantly overlooked, such as the opposing forces in WWI and the history of our First Nations Peoples.
Year 8
Year 8 History students had the opportunity to learn about effective leadership and its importance in society after learning about the first Emperor of China and the different leadership styles of the Ancient Romans. Their task was to find a modern leader in any industry and put together a film to show different types of leadership which was shown in class and compared to qualities of ancient leaders. Classes chose leaders including rear admirals, reverends, CEOs, spiritual leaders of First Nations People and recipients of the Order of Australia Medal.
Aboriginal Studies
The Aboriginal Studies students developed a greater appreciation of knowledge and skills in relation to First Nations Peoples, society and culture. Students explored First Nations dreaming, spirituality, art and identity along with ongoing human rights concerns. Students had the opportunity to spend a day on the beautiful Darkinjung Country at the Central Coast. They also visited the site of first contact between Captain Arthur Phillip and the Darkinjung people in 1788 at Pearl Beach.
Historical Fiction
Pymble’s first historical fiction competition was held, where participants were able to tap into their creativity and compose a historical narrative relating to the quote “open your eyes and see what you can with them before they close forever”. Entries were all highly unique and delightful to read, demonstrating students’ vivid imagination and passion for writing in history.
National History Challenge
We also received exciting news about the success of Amy Zhang, Year 8, and Joy Ye, Year 9, in the National History Challenge. This year’s Challenge was for students to explore the theme ‘SIGNIFICANCE: History Matters’. Amy was a State Winner for NSW in the Year 8 Level. She wrote on ‘Indigenous Australian soldiers in the First World War and their place in Australian history’. Joy was a State Winner for NSW and at the National level for her category of ‘Asia and Australia’.
We are looking forward to exploring the new ideas of the National History Challenge in 2022 and encourage any student to reach out to the History Department if they have queries.
Sophia Ge and Lihini Jayasekara, Captains of HistoryHistory, Society and Ethics
LEGAL STUDIES
The Legal Studies class of 2021 was the largest group of students that the subject has seen since it began at Pymble, with six classes and more than 100 girls in Year 11 alone. This popularity was very well-founded, with the study of compelling topics such as ’Law Reform’, ‘Women’, and the ‘Rights of Individuals and Children’. The relevance of these topics for the girls at Pymble ignited their passion for the subject and increased their awareness of the issues affecting women and children in Australia more broadly.
At the beginning of the year, we were able to engage in interesting and thought-provoking learning in the Kate Mason Building. For example, debating different topics as an introduction to the term’s work, discussing the failures and successes of case studies and watching documentaries related to these.
RELIGION AND ETHICS
The journey of COVID-19 across the year made it difficult to maintain the spirit of Religion and Ethics among the College. A variety of initiatives that created a bond across the cohorts included:
• During lunch clubs we discussed a variety of topics such as ‘Women in Religion’ and the ‘Lack of Diversity Presented in some Western Religions’. We also did eventful activities such as trivia quizzes and Kahoots to bring festivity into the club environment.
• Creating a friendly competition among different cohorts consisting of challenging online quizzes, to whom receiving the most answers correct would then be rewarded.
• Organising Chapel services.
• Making posters educating our peers about certain topics.
• Organising performances which taught about Indigenous culture.
• Making surveys which consisted of favourite topics about religion and making services around those topics to gain a larger audience.
• Discussing with the Upper and Middle School Heads on how to inspire Pymble girls why the subject would be incredibly beneficial for their future.
Commencing online learning in Term 3 was challenging across all subjects however, it was made easier in Legal Studies through breakout rooms and open class discussions. Online learning did not affect the collaboration between the girls and created a sense of comradeship among classmates, as well as excitement to get back on campus. This collaboration was not only within Year 11, but also in Year 12 – with HSC students helping our Legal Studies cohort with complex topics that they had previously studied. This camaraderie is common amongst Pymble students, making for a more united Senior School group of girls. Exploring topics such as ‘Women and the Law’ allowed us to become more literate about contemporary issues that face society today. We learned about the complexity of balancing rights of individuals, victims and society which established a more comprehensive understanding of justice in the criminal system.
Annabelle Ainsworth and Lara Barnouti, Captains of Legal StudiesReligion and Ethics was easy to adapt to learning online. Religion is the primary way for girls to explore the human condition of existence. Living and learning through the digital perspective of school, many students across the cohort remained resilient and optimistic through the term. By coming to class with positive attitudes, we were able to uplift each other’s spirits and bond over our experiences as well as recognise the diversity of society and ethics. Care, enthusiasm and friendship were common characteristics in the atmosphere across cohorts of Religion and Ethics classes.
Rhea Bhatti, Captain of Religion and Ethics
This camaraderie is common amongst Pymble students
Indigenous Education
INDIGENOUS EDUCATION
Learning From and Celebrating Australia’s First Peoples
Throughout 2021, the College continued to learn about, share and celebrate Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures through many activities in the classroom and beyond.
Whilst restrictions due to COVID-19 meant our cultural immersion to Nhulunbuy, our large NAIDOC celebration and some other excursions were cancelled, the year still brought with it many things to celebrate.
Michelle Obama writes in her autobiography, “For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.”
Staff and students are experiencing the relevance of this philosophy when it comes to learning in this space. We are on a journey, and it’s important.
Reconciliation Week
This year’s theme was ‘More than a word, reconciliation takes action’ with celebrations held across the College. In the Secondary School, the Intercultural Captains and a diverse group of Year 12 students, with the support of the College’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) group, ran an assembly. Head of Upper School, Mrs Boyd, gave the opening address calling on students to think about the part they personally can play in working towards reconciliation. “Today you are going to hear about some actions that the College intends to make towards reconciliation, but as you listen, I encourage you to consider your personal first steps and invite you to make a commitment.” We welcomed guest speaker Wakka Wakka woman and Aboriginal Christian Leader Brooke Prentis, and Year 12 Gamilaroi student Sophie Smith wrote a pledge that was recorded by students and made into a video.
The school held a Kindergarten to Year 12 ‘Wear it yellow’ fundraiser where students and staff bought yellow hair ribbons to raise money in support of the life-changing work of Children’s Ground – an organisation led by Aboriginal communities that creates a new future for children filled with promise, hope and empowerment.
Indigenous Education
INDIGENOUS EDUCATION
Indigenous Round of Sport
The third annual Indigenous Round of Sport was held in Term 2 with a huge turnout from the Pymble community. Local elder Uncle Neil Evers gave a Welcome to Country followed by a ceremony run by our First Nations girls. Our Indigenous dance troupe performed a dance adapting their favourite stories of land, waterways and skies. The group recognised Wakka Wakka Kombumerri woman Katina Olsen and Wiradjuri dancer and storyteller Kerry Johnson who taught them the foundations of the dance. Loreto Normanhurst, Abbotsleigh and Monte Sant’ Angelo teams then joined our Pymble students for football, basketball and rugby sevens fixtures.
Literature Diversity Festival
The College’s Literature Diversity Festival was a chance to share individual stories and celebrate the differences that make us such a special and unique family. The festival provided unique and engaging opportunities for all our girls to connect with others, learn more about different cultures and foster the understanding that we all have stories to share and that we are all enriched by being members of a diverse community.
Wiradjuri dancer and choreographer Kerry Johnson ran several workshops for students in the Secondary School. A group of our First Nations students also performed a Wiradjuri Berry Picking dance in the Preparatory School which showed the students the importance of dance as a medium of storytelling.
Continued Learning
Our First Nations students and families continue to lead the way for us on this learning journey and we thank them for their contributions to the College as well as the open way they have shared their stories and culture with our community.
As one Year 9 girl remarked, “we are small in number, but we are mighty” which is evident in the outstanding contributions the students continue to make across all aspects of College life.
Some highlights of the year include:
• Students have the option of attending Culture Club at the PCYC in Waitara every fortnight. This is a chance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people living in the North Shore area to get together, form connections and learn from local uncles and aunties.
• Gamilaroi woman and Australian Cricketer Hannah Darlington visited the College during Term 2 to facilitate mentoring sessions with students.
• Miss Teegan Wattam (2017) continued to support students as a cultural mentor. She also won an academic achievement award at Charles Darwin University.
• Tiarn Wilesmith, Year 12, fulfilled the role of Boarding Social Inclusion Prefect.
• Amarley Bron, Year 10, was part of the victorious First Basketball team who took out the IGSA title.
share individual stories and celebrate the differences that make us such a special and unique family
• Rhonda Kerr and Jayda Holland, Year 12, both produced exceptional HSC artworks.
• Dezi Magann-Jones, Year 8, represented her peers as a Middle School Leader for 2021.
• Our Years 7 to 10 students participated in the Macquarie University Culture, Leadership and Scholarship (CLS) program.
• Georgia Stuart and Amarley Bron, Year 10, gave an Acknowledgment of Country at Admiralty House.
• Our Year 10 students visited a local preschool to share their cultural knowledge and support the learning of the students at the centre.
Miss Kate Howie, Indigenous Education LeaderInformation and Communications Technology
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
Working with the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Department at Pymble Ladies’ College was a memorable but challenging journey throughout the year. Our intention was to promote the number of opportunities available to the students and to fully immerse them in the world of technology. We aimed to fully enrich the students’ understanding utilising the range of facilities and engage with technological practices involving Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
As almost half of 2021 was spent indoors due to the rising pandemic problems in Australia, in turn, this affected the events that happened this year such as the online Big Day In and the cancellation of many events. Despite these restrictions, students were still able to enjoy participating in some of the events relating to technology and many other opportunities.
“Photographic and Digital Media (PDM) was definitely one of my favourite subjects. The practical work was always really fun and I learned so much about how to use cameras and different Adobe programs, as well as the basics of animation.” – Gemma Hodge, Year 10
Big Day In
The Big Day In was a virtual event held on 21 July. Students from Years 10 and 11 attended the Big Day In careers conference online. It was an insightful experience for the Secondary students who were interested in ICT and technology paths. There were inspiring keynote presentations from a variety of tech companies such as Microsoft and Adobe. Students were also given the opportunity to participate in the live Q&A panel and received helpful advice from experienced developers and designers.
Web.Comp
Some students in Years 8 to 10 participated in the Grok Learning Web.Comp that commenced from 10 May to 6 June. Learning how to design proper web UI pages in HTML and CSS, students solved and marked problems updated every week to earn points per submission. From the Beginners course to the Intermediate course, students were challenged to apply their knowledge and participate in the stand-alone Design Tournament. Learning web design is one of the most technical skills to learn in the software unit. Creating websites from scratch challenges students to think about the benefits of good user interface designs to enhance the user’s experience.
Grok NCCSS Challenge
Another tournament that occurred this year was the Grok NCSS challenge which involved different levels of Python learning and coding. Participants were able to choose to attend four different difficulty challenges, including block code, all the way up to advanced level Python coding. The weekly progression and the challenges along the way helped improve and educate many of the participating students in the language of Python.
Angela Yang and Emma Nirui, Captains of Information and Communications TechnologiesLanguages
LANGUAGES
Languages Week
After weeks of planning and preparation in Terms 1 and 2, we all teamed up and brought the highly anticipated Languages Week to life. From Monday to Thursday, girls across all year groups in the Secondary School were encouraged to participate in a wide selection of cultural activities, including a Guess the Language Kahoot, a treasure hunt, Chinese calligraphy, Japanese origami and a screening of the beloved Disney adaptation Hercules. We had the opportunity to motivate girls in the younger years to continue learning a language or consider taking up Latin or Classical Greek. Needless to say, we felt the excitement in the air as we reached the end of the week, with students waiting for the arrival of food trucks featuring Thai chicken skewers and rice and, for dessert, American ice cream. Many students also enjoyed their pre-ordered custom Taiwanese bubble tea. The activities were a hit amongst the student body as all events were brimming with energy. Special shoutout to Madame Bussien and Mrs Centner for their guidance and everyone else who supported our events, we couldn’t have done it without you!
MODERN LANGUAGES
2021 was a year of persistence for the Modern Languages community at Pymble. As we navigated through another turbulent year of COVID-19 and challenges, we are proud to say it was a fruitful year filled with achievements and growth which deserve to be commended.
Education Perfect Languages Championships
Kicking off the school year, girls across a variety of different year groups participated in the Education Perfect Languages Championships – a world-wide competition in which they competed virtually against other students at an international level of the same calibre. All students who participated, regardless of their result, should be very proud of their incredible efforts! Special congratulations to Jacqueline Wo, Year 8, Mikayla Tsou, Year 9, Emily Abadee, Year 8, Alice Kang, Year 8, Lara Albany, Year 11, Isabella Pettinato, Year 11, and Mulan Xu, Year 9. Well done girls for your exceptional results!
As Modern Languages Captains and student leaders, this year gave us the amazing opportunity to connect with our fellow peers who have the same passion for languages as we do. It was inspiring to see their commitment and courage to have a go despite the obstacles we all faced. Though many of our plans were thwarted by COVID-19 restrictions and lockdown, we were glad we made the most of this year. We hope everyone enjoyed this year as much as we did, and we can’t wait to see the Modern Languages community flourish over the coming years!
Mia Credaro and Rene Liu, Captains of Modern LanguagesThe activities were a hit amongst the student body as all events were brimming with energy.Evelyn Tong, Year 10 Sophie Zheng and Natalie Dong, Year
Languages
CLASSICS
Over the course of this year, despite the many challenges, our amazing Classics teachers and students were able to pull through and make the most of this year. We are so pleased with everyone and their engagement! Even with the complexities of a 15-week lockdown, these talented students were able to participate in many national exams and competitions, achieving a tremendous number of astounding results which they all should be proud of.
Our finalists and high achievers:
Rosemary Davies Art Competition
• Jasmine Economou, Year 8, The Birth of Athena
National Greek Exam Competition, run by the American Classical League
• Annelise Koh, Year 10
• Aileen Hao, Year 10
• Alexandra Luxton, Year 10
• Rhedyn Wong, Year 10
Beginning Greek, Highest Honour Award
Beginning Greek, High Honour Award
Beginning Greek, High Honour Award
Beginning Greek, High Honour Award
• Emma Lau, Year 10 Beginning Greek, Merit Award
• Sophie Christopher, Year 10
Beginning Greek, Merit Award
• Martina Chin, Year 10 Beginning Greek, Merit Award
• Cia Fotias, Year 11 Intermediate Attic Greek, Merit Award
National Classical Etymology Exam
• Caitlyn Tan, Year 10 Gold Medallist
National Latin Vocabulary Exam
• Caitlyn Tan, Year 10 Gold Medallist
Congratulations to all girls this year, we look forward to seeing how you all continue to improve and excel!
Unfortunately, a few events, such as the National Latin Exam and the Senior Classics Dinner, were not able to go ahead this year due to COVID-19 restrictions; however we encourage Classics students to participate in these events in the new year.
Classics Captains
The role of Classics Captain provided us with the opportunity to work along with the Languages Department and develop initiatives for our fellow students. Despite setbacks regarding COVID-19, this role was a valuable learning curve and allowed us to grow as student leaders. We hope everyone had a great 2021, especially in Latin and Greek! We loved being so involved with our peers and hope they continue their love for languages. We can’t wait to see what the new year brings for Classics!
Cia Fotias and Deblina Roy, Captains of Classics
Library
LIBRARYLibrary is a space where we can be immersed in the beauty of literature and gain new insights into different cultures.
Literature Diversity Festival
This year the Conde Library hosted the College’s first Literature Diversity Festival. We were provided with the opportunity to involve ourselves in a range of events, performances and activities. These included Indian, African and First Nations dance performances, slam poetry recitals, music and stories, which expanded our world view and understanding of our society and cultures within Australia. One of the highlights of the week was the talk by First Nations author Kirli Saunders. We gained insight into how authors find inspiration and craft language. It was interesting to hear how her cultural heritage and love of nature and the environment feeds into her writing. This was helpful for developing our writing skills, creativity and love of stories. Through this wonderful experience we were able to connect as a community and to share our love for literature and to experience different cultures.
Book Week
Due to lockdown, Book Week was moved online for the first time. It was a challenging, but special experience. However, with the help of our teachers and collaboration through online tutorials and meetings, we settled on creating an online ‘escape room’ based on this year’s Book Week theme, ‘Old Worlds New Worlds Other Worlds’. This allowed Years 7 to 12 students to work individually or collaboratively to solve a series of riddles and puzzles while engaging with the unique setting of ‘Hogwarts comes to Pymble’. We were thrilled to see many students engage in the ‘escape room’ and other Book Week activities such as character dress up, a guessing competition, book art and writing challenges. Morris Gleitzman was a guest speaker for Year 7 during Book Week and entertained us with his behind-the-scenes stories from the Felix and Zelda saga.
The Library program is run after school and the Library Monitors for 2021 supported the Library staff by creating displays, book reviews, shelving and bookmarks. The Library staff continued to run the Co-curricular Book Club for book lovers in Years 7 to 9.
Write a Book in a Day
The Write a Book in a Day Competition was enjoyed by several students from Years 7 to 10. This competition raises funds for the Kids Cancer Project and the books are shared with hospitals for children to read. Four teams competed online and the Year 9 team was successful, taking out two awards – Commended for their book, Behind the Camera, and Best Illustrated book. The Year 9 students were Anna Ward, Georgia Bicego, Maiya Foster, Giaan Jackson, Chloe Kim, Charlise Moodie, Grace Scott, Ava Thomas, Sophie Toma and Anna Ward.
We are so thankful for all the great experiences we had as the Library Captains for 2021.
Gloria Kim and Jana Chan, Captains of Library
Mathematics
MATHEMATICS
In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mathematics at Pymble continued to be celebrated with our girls achieving outstanding results both in class and across a variety of events and competitions. Our vision we had for Mathematics in 2021 was for all girls, regardless of their Mathematics level, to feel confident, to excel and enjoy Mathematics. We were overjoyed at the immense success and participation in Mathematics this year.
Competitions and Events
Throughout 2021, Pymble girls participated in a number of competitions and events, with some exceptional results.
Year 10 girls participated in the 2021 International Mathematical Modelling Challenge (IM²C 2021), in which participants worked collaboratively to solve a problem by devising and applying an original mathematical model over five consecutive days. This year, there were more than 100 teams that submitted entries, and we were proud to announce that our Year 10 students were National finalists!
Another event celebrating Mathematics this year was on 17 June when the top classes in Years 7 to 10 had the privilege to be addressed by a number of powerful women working in Mathematics
Amber Li, Year 7, won a prize in both the AMC and the AIMO and was invited to the National Summer School in December.
Congratulations Amber!
Pi Day
Despite the setbacks and challenges due to the COVID-19 lockdown, we were lucky to celebrate the Mathematical symbol Pi at Pymble’s annual Mathematics Pi Day on 12 November. Students in Years 7 to 12 were challenged to recite at least 15 digits of Pi in order to get a prize. This year, instead of rewarding girls with mini pies, we ordered customised Pymble coloured rock candy with the Pi symbol. It was a great success with many girls participating!
There were some exceptional Pi reciters among us, including Sarah Boland, Year 8, 200 digits, Angie Wang, Year 10, 651 digits and Chloe Hoang, Year 11, reciting 107 digits of Pi!
This year we also aimed to expand the Mathematics spirit on Pi Day to the Kindergarten to Year 6 students, by challenging them to complete a mini quiz based on the topics they were learning in class. On their Maths Day, we announced five girls from each year group who had achieved full marks on their quizzes and awarded them a bag of Pi lollies as well.
Overall, we were so proud of all students who participated in Mathematic events, competitions and learning, and for all students who challenged themselves this year in Mathematics! Live, love, maths.
Anika Perera and Ami Naito, Captain of Mathematics
PDHPE
PDHPE2021 was a very successful year for us as PDHPE Captains. After a really tough year interfered with by COVID-19 in 2020, we were able to implement activities and draw attention to the principles that PDHPE stands for. PDHPE revolves around an individual’s health – physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social. Through our initiatives, we were able to incorporate these dimensions of health and encourage participation within the Pymble community.
Handball
With initiatives such as the Handball Tournament, the Pymble community was brought together in friendly competition with every year group getting involved as well as teachers. This brought attention to the physical and social aspects of health and encouraged everyone to get active during lunchtimes when they’d usually be sitting.
Year 7
Year 7 girls enjoyed developing movement and interpersonal skills through participation in a wide range of physical activities including football, gymnastics, hockey, modified games, skipping and water polo. They also designed health promotion initiatives targeting young people including a VLOG for managing the challenges of beginning high school and a campaign for promoting sun, water or road safety.
Year 8
Year 8 enjoyed analysing physical activity and healthy eating behaviours and developing strategies for promoting the health and wellbeing of themselves and others. This included the design of a nutritious meal and a strategy for promoting inclusivity.
Year 9
Year 9 developed valuable water safety and lifesaving skills in pursuit of the iconic Royal Life Saving Bronze Medallion. Students became equipped with the knowledge and skills to respond appropriately in aquatic emergency situations. They demonstrated highly developed decision-making skills and successfully performed a wide range of rescues and basic first aid.
Year 9 Physical Activity and Sport Studies (PASS) girls completed their Community Coaching course and applied the skills they learned to help coach Junior School students in basketball. They also took part in researching the investigated application of technology in sport and tactical analysis.
Year 10
Year 10 girls engaged in a variety of movement contexts to promote inclusiveness, lifelong physical activity and mental wellbeing. Students participated in and designed a wide range of modified games, which helped develop teamwork, creativity and co-ordination. These included ultimate frisbee, yoga, scavenger hunts, orienteering and fitness circuits. Year 10 also undertook an investigation of the diverse population that makes up Australian society and created a podcast that proposed ways individuals and communities can be proactive in promoting social justice.
Year 10 PASS students applied the planning and management skills they had refined over the year to collaboratively design and lead a fun and challenging obstacle course at the College. Students displayed their strong physical and mental abilities as they worked together to conquer the obstacles.
Year 11
Year 11 PDHPE students embarked on a camp at Vision Valley early in Term 2. The girls learned first aid skills, navigation skills and participated in outdoor recreation activities such as canoeing, abseiling and rock climbing. All of these activities worked towards team building and problem solving. For example, unfortunately due to rain some of the plans had to be changed and the girls effectively solved problems such as changing the camp site.
Year 12
Year 12 girls displayed great commitment and collegiality to successfully complete their HSC course. This was a commendable effort, especially in the face of adversity having to transition to and from online learning.
Lockdown
Going back into lockdown did make it harder to ensure that PDHPE was staying connected however there were some great initiatives that occurred. We were able to stay connected by starting a website focused on the five dimensions of health for the next PDHPE Captains to continue and share with the Secondary School.
Chloe Duncan and Olivia Inkster, Captains of PDHPE
Performing Arts
DANCE
I don’t think anyone was expecting a second lockdown in 2021, but our talented Elective Dance students persevered and rose to the challenges as we adapted to remote learning.
Certificate II in Dance
For the first time, in 2021 the Dance Certificate course was introduced. It is a nationally recognised qualification optional for Elective and Eisteddfod Dance students. Nine eager students enrolled in the course. They learned about various recognisable aspects of the Performing Arts, branching out to stage skills or industry knowledge. One of the required courses – staging skills, was held in the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts (GMCPA), where an intensive day was held for the students to work behind the scenes (something we were definitely not used to)!
Year 10
Year 10 is the first year that students are allowed to participate in Elective Dance, and the cohort never fails to deliver incredible performances. To start the year, they collaborated on a class dance on ‘Work Life’, before diving into their Appreciation unit and studying the renowned work Revelations by contemporary dance pioneer, Alvin Ailey. Their work quality never failed to impress, even during online learning, as they worked together to create a dance film based on tropical stories in society. In Term 4, they produced an individual composition using the stimulus ‘The Royals’.
Year 11
For their second year participating in the Dance course, students continued with their studies for their preliminary syllabus. First, they worked on a class dance to ‘Achilles Come Down’, where dancers were taught a dance and allowed to manipulate it to suit their capabilities and limitations. Following that, in the world of dance appreciation, students acknowledged the significance of dance as a form of storytelling, as seen in Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Patyegarang and Jiri Kylian’s Falling Angels
As they moved into online learning, they focused on technique and how to preserve their health for when they finally returned to campus.
Year 12
Year 12 was filled with talented, creative students who were devoted to the subject, even during the challenge that was COVID-19. Covering the four mandatory components of the HSC, they expressed themselves through their skills and knowledge. Early in 2021, they studied Jiri Kylian’s Sarabande, and attended a lecture held by exhead lecturer of Dance at the University of NSW, David Spurgeon. However, beyond the world of Dance theory, they had many opportunities to perform their works throughout the year as there were continuous assessments and checkpoints to make sure the dancers were on top of their works. Their trial exams were a success, and the cohort mesmerised the external markers with the quality of their works. Additionally, when Pymble hosted the Ballet Without Borders event, Year 12 student Sage Kikui had the opportunity to perform on stage as a guest performer to showcase her Core Composition.
Despite the hardships that 2021 brought for this cohort, our dancers persevered through it and made it to the finish line. We are looking forward to the HSC Dance Showcase to be held in February 2022.
Fiona Fu, Captain of DancePerforming Arts
DRAMA
The world of Pymble Drama was filled with passion, talent and incredible participation by our students this year. Between live performances and workshops, there were many opportunities this year and there will be many more in the years to come.
Shakespeare Carnival
In Term 1, we began the year with a big hit with our incredibly talented Year 11 Drama students competing in the Shakespeare Carnival ‘Sport for Jove’. With regional entrants from Year 11 being a Mash Up scene, duologue and a group scripted scene which was rightfully awarded Best Prop after competing at the state level.
“I loved performing at Jove because it helped me expand my acting skills and receive incredible feedback.”
– Kate Falconer-Flint, Year 11
Year 10 Drama Learning Showcase
Not only did we have fantastic competitors in Curriculum Drama this year, but incredible devisors and performers from Year 10. In Term 2, our fabulous Year 10 girls worked with classroom teachers Ms Cooper-Findlay and Ms Sweetman to create five different pieces for the Drama courses. Performing on the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts (GMCPA) stage, the audience was so impressed by the girls’ absurdist, expressionistic, contemporary and comedic style pieces.
“It was a good opportunity for Drama students of all abilities and experience to perform on stage for an audience.” – Isla Harris, Year 10
Literature Diversity Festival
In Term 1 our Year 11 Drama students were able to partake in the Literature Diversity Festival in a Slam Poetry workshop led by 2015 Australian Poetry Slam Champion Philip Wilcox. This was a highly valuable opportunity for the cohort to understand the many varieties of performance styles.
Sit Back and Watch us Act
The student-run initiative of Sit Back and Watch us Act aimed to provide Drama students in Curriculum and Cocurricular classes the opportunity to perform for their peers, enhancing performance skills as well as confidence. This year the Year 12 Drama students performed their group performance pieces, Year 11 Drama students performed absurdist duologues and Shakespeare Carnival pieces and finally the Year 10 students performed their showcase pieces. All the students were able to showcase their work to supportive friends in the audience!
Our Pymble Drama community continues to grow and be filled with dedicated and hardworking students, ensuring that each year is even more successful for Drama at Pymble Ladies’ College.
Sophie Coughlan, Captain of DramaPerforming Arts
MUSIC
Term 1
Pymble’s Music program started off strongly with a return to campus and a hope to leave COVID-19 in the past! Pymble’s favourite Munch and Music lunchtime concerts began again with girls in Years 11 and 12 playing their pieces; the Year 11 girls working towards assessments and exams, and the Year 12 girls towards their HSC. The fortnightly event was open to Year 8 and above, with socially distanced seating and supportive audience members. Year 10 impressed the staff with some rock arrangements of classical music.
Term 2
Moving into Term 2, the Years 10, 11 and 12 Music classes were lucky to watch the 2020 HSC music concert ‘Encore’ with Hui Pan (2020) on cello which inspired the upcoming artists of Year 11.
Performed by the Year 8 students, Moana the Musical was a huge success, starring all students across the three Elective Music classes.
Renowned composer Luke Byrne visited the Senior students to help with the many compositions that the Years 11 and 12 girls struggled with. He provided unique insights and helpful tools which aided in a class of successful fugues in the Baroque style, and theme and variations in the Classical style.
Term 3
Despite the entirety of Term 3 being in lockdown, Music at Pymble continued to thrive. Year 7 classes continued bucket drumming from home, utilising a great deal of creativity and a wide range of kitchen appliances to put together their own DIY percussion instruments. Meanwhile, Year 11 initiated student-run virtual trivia, also enjoyed by Music staff. Particular applause to Years 10 and 11 for completing their performance assessments virtually.
Term 4
Upon finally returning to campus in Term 4, Pymble’s Music program faced many obstacles brought on by restrictions – most, unfortunately, not allowing the mixing of year groups which prevented the continuation of the Munch and Music concerts. Nonetheless, girls were nothing short of excited to make a return to class.
Overall, Music successfully continued to hurdle through the pandemic in 2021. Well done to all the students and staff for making it through the year and surviving an entire term of online learning!
Lara Albany and Isabel Dean, Captains of MusicScience
Science Competitions
Three groups of girls spent part of their summer holidays competing in the Biotech Futures at the University of Sydney, in which all three groups made the finals, with two teams making the top ten in the Medicine and Health section. Congratulations to Meera Barani and Olivia Harvey, Year 11, who went on to win the competition in the Medicine section with their prototype of a sock that helps to monitor foot ulcers in diabetic patients. This award involves an internship at the University of Sydney where Meera and Olivia can develop the prototype. Furthermore, several students took part in the Big Ideas competition, with Evelyn Zhu and Olivia Blayney, Year 8, taking the top prize and winning a trip to Melbourne. Amazing achievement girls!
Chemistry, Biology and Physics Olympiad
The Australian Science Olympiads are challenging competitions for talented Science students across the nation, culminating each year in the International Science Olympiads. Special congratulations to Olivia Clifford, Year 9, Elena Zhang, Year 9, Angie Wang, Year 10, and Hanna Cheung, Year 10, for achieving High Distinctions in the Junior Olympiad; Faye Chang, Caitlyn Kim, Year 11, for achieving High Distinctions in Chemistry; Chloe Hoang, Faye Chang, Year 11, for achieving High Distinctions in Physics; and Olivia Harvey, Year 11, for achieving a High Distinction in Biology.
Year 7 Trip to the Zoo
This year, our Year 7 cohort enjoyed an excursion to Taronga Zoo, where they learned intriguing facts about how different animal species interact with each other.
Year 11 Biology Excursion
In Term 1, our Year 11 Biology classes spent a day at Narrabeen and Long Reef Rock platforms conducting fieldwork as part of their study of Biodiversity and Ecosystems. The students loved being able to examine marine species up close to observe their adaptations and how they were distributed on the rock platform. At the end of the day, a student remarked, “I have been to the beach many times but just didn’t realise how alive the rock platform is. This day also made me think about how important it is to protect these ecosystems.”
Year 12 Chemistry Incursion
Our Year 12 chemists took part in an incursion to learn about spectroscopy techniques and heard from professionals such as Dr Stephen Davies from the National Measurement Institute, who discussed how he uses NMR to check the purity of samples. The girls also engaged in the Virtual Kickstart Chemistry workshop run by the University of Sydney.
National Science Week
This year’s Science Week theme was ‘Food: Different by Design’ and took place during the lockdown. However, our young and creative scientists still had lots of fun making homemade ice cream in a bag, magic milk and sultanas dance!
Junior Physics Tournament
Caitlyn Tan, Year 10, Grace Ho, Year 9 and Jasmine Li, Year 9, competed in the Junior Physics Tournament against schools in Queensland, Western Australia and New Zealand. In this competition, students present their conclusions and then their proposed explanations, experiments and results are critiqued by other students, who had investigated the same problems.
Meera Barani and Kirsten Fong, Captains of Science
This award involves an internship at the University of Sydney where Meera and Olivia can develop the prototype
Science
AGRICULTURE
The Agriculture Plot had some major renovations over 2021 which gave the Ag Plot a whole new look. There are more paddocks for the animals as well as two new seating areas, new veggie beds and a new chicken run. With Pymble’s purchase of Vision Valley, some of our animals are now able to reside in the country. One of Vision Valley’s newest residents is our ram, Gordon Ramsay, who came to us from Knox! Excitingly, we had a spring new arrival during home learning with Lamington giving birth to a healthy baby lamb, Clover. She is enjoying her time at the Ag Plot with her mum and Aunty Pancake and has grown so much already!
Year 11 Tocal Excursion
In March, the Year 11 Agriculture class had an overnight excursion to Tocal in the Hunter Valley as part of their farm case study. The excursion included visiting a state-of-the-art greenhouse which produces tonnes of Lebanese cucumbers, a beef cattle farm at Kulnura where the students learned how to vaccinate calves, a thoroughbred breeding farm at Martindale, owned by Gemma Hodge’s, Year 10, family and watched the 5.30am milking at Tocal dairy. This was a great practical learning experience for the girls as they were able to see first-hand a wide variety of operating agricultural enterprises for their Tocal Farm Case Study.
Isabella Hurst, Captain of AgricultureYear 12 Cotton Excursion
In May, the Year 12 Agriculture class was lucky to travel to Gunnedah for two days as a part of their Farm Product Study on Cotton. Whilst there, they visited a cotton engine, where cotton is processed after being harvested, and two cotton farms, one of which was home to Year 12 Boarder Madison Simson. This was an amazing opportunity for the girls to see first-hand how a broadacre cropping farm runs. They then applied their newfound practical knowledge by each writing a Farm Product Study report about cotton production.
Greta Roberts, Year 12
STE
STEM
M2021 saw a challenging yet rewarding year in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Intended agenda for the year included a STEM week to bring together the four academic areas of STEM with a range of ten-minute activities that intertwined each individual subject to represent STEM as a whole from a fun perspective. A large-scale STEM activity was also on the table on House Day where girls were to make an elastic band car out of recycled materials and participate in a race. The aim was to spread the message to girls that STEM isn’t an unapproachable area, but rather all about the small fun activities that stimulate creativity, critical thinking, problem solving and other transferable skills they can use throughout their lives.
Whilst COVID-19 did diminish this opportunity for young people to collaborate with each other through STEM, it saw other innovative ways, particularly online, that furthered the impact of STEM. Our Robotics girls still managed to get involved with the practical side of robotics, as organised pickups allowed students to take home materials from school. Students designed and built functional catapults for a fun lockdown activity as well as honed their skills through the help of mentors who tested their code on pre-existing robots.
Elastic band car
STEM in the Junior School
The Junior School had their STEM Day on 15 November which brought unlimited creativity and innovation for girls in Year 3 to Year 6. Throughout STEM Day, all Junior School girls designed and engineered paper automata that utilised their critical thinking, problem solving and creativity in the design and manufacturing process.
“During STEM Day we made paper automata. It was a really fun thing to do because we could really challenge our brains to build them. First, we had to plan our automata by drawing and describing it so that we knew what we were going to build. This exciting STEM activity taught us to think outside the box and always try things.”
“On STEM Day I made a paper automata. I created mine based on a tsunami because in Year 6 we had been learning about natural disasters. I loved STEM Day because I got to make a really cool automata and reflect on my understanding of tsunamis.”
Zoey Chen and Jenhui Lau, Captains of STEM
– Olivia Chen, Year 3
– Annabel Tamas, Year 6Ashton Malcolm, Gemma Dixon, Emma Scott, Clara Mudaliar and Elizabeth Macpherson, Year 5 Fiona Wu and Autumn Wang, Year 4
Technology and Applied Studies
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
2021 was an extremely eventful year in Design and Technology at Pymble! Students were given a range of exciting opportunities to harness their creativity and ability to innovate. Students engaged with the world around them not only to test, but to tear down the boundaries in order to design, evaluate and create.
Year 7
Students learned how to navigate a range of materials, tools and processes to produce their own designs. In their game design unit, Year 7 used online software to create video games. Students completed the Hot Wheels unit and constructed aerodynamic cars to race. Lily Still said that her “favourite project was the online version of hot wheels, as I loved working at my own pace”. The girls demonstrated their resilience, taking the COVID-19 setback in their stride by transferring their skills into a digital space using CAD software Onshape. Year 7 built their foundational knowledge and skills that will greatly assist them in their design endeavours in the future.
Year 9
During the year, Year 9 engaged with and deepened their understanding of the design process through their jewellery design and packaging and promotion units. Practical steps involving various tools and machinery, including laser cutters, three-dimensional printers, resin moulding and metal work were taken by students to create jewellery pieces that reflected a particular aesthetic. Olivia Clifford enjoyed documenting her creative process in her first comprehensive portfolio, saying that she loved to “delve into the design process and showcase each small detail of my designs”.
Year 10
Year 10 students completed the Illumination and Playlist unit. The Illumination project revolved around designing lighting solutions for a particular target market. Jocelyn Mar’s project aimed to assist children with light sensitivities. She used acrylic and a range of other materials to create a snail-shaped night light that was “coded so that the light would grow inversely bright as the sun went down during the day”. Year 10 demonstrated flexibility during the lockdown by adapting the construction of wooden headphones in Playlist to an at-home unit. The designs were greatly innovative, and students should be proud of what they achieved.
Year 11
Year 11 had a great year completing their architecture and Minor Major unit. The heavily practical architecture unit allowed for the girls to extend their skills and explore new areas of design. The Minor Major unit was a favourite in Year 11, as they were able to explore areas of passion. From bridges for wildlife, to medical containers for children, Year 11 students were challenged to critically evaluate and develop relevant, unique and practical designs.
Year 12
Throughout 2021, the Year 12 girls completed their Major Design Projects for their HSC. These projects allowed students to showcase skills that they had acquired throughout their high school experience, and their hard work to develop and refine them. The projects were of an amazing quality and provided solutions to problems on individual, local and global scales. The products were artfully developed, evaluated and refined, and Year 12 should be thrilled at the quality of their designs.
Nina Breckenridge, Captain of Design and TechnologyDESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY HSC WORKS
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY HSC WORKS
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY HSC WORKS
Technology and Applied Studies
With online learning taking up a large portion of the school year, Food Technology in 2021 was very different to other years. Due to COVID-19, we were unable to spend as much time in the kitchens at school as we would have liked, however, online learning didn’t stop us from completing our practicals at home and having fun in our own kitchens. Years 9 to 12 thoroughly enjoyed these practicals as a break from the usual theory lessons and they were a great way to keep kitchen skills up to date. These year groups were able to make a range of foods relating to the topics being studied such as sushi, gnocchi, muffins and more.
Year 9
Year 9 studied ‘Food Equity’ and ‘Food for Special Occasions’ where they enjoyed designing a digital party planning portfolio for a New Year’s Eve celebration. In this task, they formulated a guest list, designed an invitation and outlined the type of catering for the celebration. Through this, Year 9 learned key skills relating to entertaining for functions and meal planning for guests of different ages, health status, cultures and dietary requirements.
aesthetically pleasing decorations. This was a really fun and exciting way to end the year and the girls should be proud of their work.
Year 11
In the Senior years, Year 11 focused on ‘Food Availability and Selection’, ‘Food Quality’ and ‘Food Nutrition’. These topics provided students with the opportunity to develop a broad knowledge and understanding of food in Australia. One of the favourite activities Year 11 participated in this year was taste testing different foods such as ice cream and cookies as part of the sensory assessment topic.
Year 12
Year 12 focused on the ‘Australian Food Industry’, ‘Food Manufacturing’, ‘Food Product Development’, and ‘Contemporary Nutrition Issues’. These topics provided an understanding of the world of food in different areas and were an enjoyable way to finish Food Technology at school.
It was really challenging with COVID-19 impacting a lot of what we could do this year, however, with the support of our teachers, the girls maintained their enthusiasm for Food Technology.
Amy Watts, Captain of Food TechnologyYear 10
Year 10 studied ‘Food Service and Catering’ and ‘Food Product Development’. These topics were challenging but highly engaging and provided an excellent foundation for anyone keen to enter a career in the food sector. At the end of Term 4, the girls designed, baked and decorated a ‘Korean lunchbox cake’ as part of the highly anticipated celebration cakes lesson which Year 10 completes every year. These are mini cakes that are found in almost every Korean bakery and are well known for their
online learning didn’t stop us from completing our practicals at home and having fun in our own kitchens
Technology and Applied Studies
HOSPITALITY
Hospitality had a great year, but it was a struggle due to COVID-19 and going into lockdown once again. This made Hospitality extremely difficult seeing as normally the girls would be doing lots of exciting cooking, however we powered through and made many delicious meals at home.
The year started off with the Year 12 Hospitality Dinner. The night was incredible with all of the girls showcasing their amazing cooking talents. For the entrée they made two dishes – the first was an Asian inspired rice timbal, sashimi salmon with crispy shallots. The second entrée was pan fried scallops with parsnip purée and pancetta crumb. The main course was slow braised, 12-hour lamb shoulder with roast heirloom carrots, pomegranate, labne, red win jus and baby watercress. Dessert was limoncello and lemon curd tiramisu with burnt meringue.
All of the Year 12 girls outdid themselves with these dishes.
The Year 12 girls also did work placements in Term 1 were they got to work in a commercial kitchen. This helped them develop their skills and gave them the experience of working in a busy kitchen.
Matilda Geddes, Captain of HospitalitySOFTWARE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
This year in Software Design and Development (SDD), the Senior classes worked hard in class to produce a range of projects and develop their skills as software developers. The Year 11 cohort put much time and effort into their tasks, involving the creation of a chatbot and facial/object recognition application. The Year 12 girls worked creatively on developing their major works and expanding their programming skills. Unfortunately, due to the lockdown, SDD had to postpone an upcoming initiative with the Design Technology Department which was transforming the coding work of Year 7 students into an arcade game. With online school returning throughout Term 3, the girls adapted diligently to the change and continued to learn difficult concepts and produce complex projects. Prior to the lockdown, it was great to see the interest from the Year 10 girls in the SDD course at the subject information session.
“Software Design and Development not only provides experience in the world of coding, but allows us to gain skills that are vitally important in our rapidly changing society to the world of technology. I enjoyed the Software Design and Development course as it allowed me to experiment and understand new concepts no other course could provide.”
– Ariana Preketes, Year 11.
Camilla Reynolds, Captain of Software and Design
Technology and Applied Studies
TEXTILES
Whitehouse Workshop
In March, the Year 11 Textiles and Design students took part in the Whitehouse Institute of Design workshop held on campus. The girls were lucky to spend the day with the incredibly talented Leanne Whitehouse learning about sketching and rendering skills to help them create their dream drawings. Leanne guided the girls through a day of hard work and excitement, sharing her skills and her life within the glamorous textiles industry.
Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter Quilts
During Year 10 2020, the Textiles Technology students designed and manufactured quilts for women at the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter. The students spent their time personally designing and making the exquisite and unique quilts. On 4 March 2021, during their Year 11 Chapel Service, Ms Catherine Knox (1977), ex-student and Board Director, gratefully accepted the quilts on behalf of the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter.
Year 8
As the Year 8 students were introduced to Textiles Technology, the students were assigned the design brief ‘Tech Styles’. They used Adobe Illustrator to design their own prints and transferred these designs to fabric using the sublimation printer and heat press to create their own custom fabric designs for their apparel item, with the choice of either a skirt or shorts. The students created an array of colourful skirts and shorts.
Year 9
The Year 9 Textiles Technology students were given two apparel design briefs. ‘Rainbow Warrior’ was inspired by the colour and movement of Gorman clothing and the attitudes and power of African culture. The students took on this challenge and came out with amazing results. Their second brief, ‘Botanica’, was inspired by Australian feminine native flora and fauna.
Year 10
The Year 10 Textiles Technology students were asked to design a costume for a musical, set in a 1980s high school for the design brief ‘Class of Retro’. The girls took inspiration from the famous movies 16 Candles, Pretty in Pink, and many other well-known 1980s themes.
Year 10 turned their hands to textile art inspired by the brief of ‘Endangered’, with the mystique and wonder of Graeme Base’s illustrations woven through their final designs.
The Year 10 100-hour Textiles
Technology students put everything into their projects. Their first brief was ‘Vive Latino’, where they manufactured either a ruffled dress or jumpsuit with beautiful results. They then branched out to making a costume with the theme of ‘Vintage Circus’, using the pattern of a jumpsuit to create everything from acrobats to fortune tellers.
Year 11
Our Year 11 Textiles and Design students were tasked with creating an apparel item to embody the theme ‘Zeitgeist: Spirit of the Age’. The students created a vast range of exquisite and rare garments, proudly representing many different eras. They took inspiration from the 1980s, corsets from the Victorian era, the 1960s blazer silhouette, and we can’t forget the future!
Year 12
For their final year of Textiles and Design at the College, Year 12 showed a variety of apparel and textile art major works, which blew us all away. The talent shown by these students was enormous. We wish them the best.
Jessica Scott, Captain of TextilesTEXTILES HSC WORKS
TEXTILES HSC WORKS
Visual Arts
VISUAL ARTS
Visual Arts in 2021 was a wild ride! We saw many amazing artworks throughout the year from Year 7 all the way to the Year 12 Bodies of Work. COVID-19 may have been a fork in the road, but the Visual Art students and incredible Pymble teachers pulled through to ensure practical artmaking was not left behind. Teachers provided one-on-one feedback over Microsoft Teams to assist all students with their works during Pymble Online, accommodating at-home limitations with supplies and finding creative ways to keep us engaged in the world of Visual Arts.
Online Exhibition
For Year 11, an online exhibition was put together to display the incredible works they had created both in person and online – inspired by the Australian bush and trip to Vision Valley. Students created a collection of works in the mediums of their choice and photographed the final products from home. The exhibition was a wonderful way to see and share everyone’s works with friends and family who would have otherwise missed out on seeing them.
Vision Valley Camp
The Vision Valley camp provided a two-day experience where Year 11 students could delve into vigorous artmaking while being immersed in the beautiful bushland. An extensive range of choices for workshops provided a holistic experience, including oil painting, watercolour, illustration, photography, sculpture/installation and night photography – all taught by our skilled teachers. Hiking, meditating and being surrounded by the natural scenery provided a profound experience, where the girls could focus on their expression of the subject matter.
At this camp, the Year 11 Visual Arts students had the incredible experience to learn from and work with the contemporary landscape artist Patrick Shirvington. We studied his works, materially and conceptually, and how they portrayed the beauty of the Australian landscape. The first-hand opportunity to watch him at his craft was truly unforgettable.
Art Competition
A positive aspect of the prolonged Sydney lockdown was the extra time Visual Arts students had to create. We started a Years 7 to 11 Art competition during online learning, with the subject matter inspired by the coming of spring, and received some beautiful submissions!
Teachers provided one-on-one feedback over Microsoft Teams
Georgina Makeham and Samira Toor, Captains of Visual ArtsIsabella Bunce, Riley Cade, Tiah Shaw, Harriet Shaw, Elise Ovens and Scarlett Stewart, Year 11
HSC ARTWORKS
HSC
Final Assemblies
SECONDARY SCHOOL FINAL ASSEMBLIES
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we celebrated the end of the academic year and our girls' achievements at final assemblies for each year group.
Award Recipients
Year 7
Distinction
Isabella Attard, Grace Beck, Soraya Catchpole, Kiki Chen, Annalise Chow, Katherine Hart, Ruixin (Kitty) He, Meixin (Meimei) Jiang, Annabelle Jones, Caitlin Kim, Bo Kyung (Rosa) Kim, Sui Yan (Chloe) Lau, Katherine Lee, Amber Li, Wanxin (Alice) Mao, Annabel Morris, Claire Murphy, Teagan Ning, Katherine Pan, Elysia Sun, Ruhani Surana, Mahika Swamy, Jessica Xu, Ka Yuet (Alissa) Xue, Jessica Zhai, Angela Zhang
Citizenship
Emelia Caulfield, Arabella Murphy, Georgia Rudd, Charlotte Ruscio, Ruhani Surana, Jahle Tez
Hammond House Award
Chloe Browning
Helen Manners Dixon Achievement and Encouragement Award
Yi Zhen (Cindy) Zhou
Religion and Ethics Award
Amber Li
Middle School Encouragement Award
Alia Curren
Year 7 Improvement Award
Ayana Chandra
Student Leaders for 2022 Boarders’ Representative Council
Adison Hartog-Smith, Chloe Browning
Chapel Leaders
Jessica Xu, Angela Zhang
Community Service Leader Kiki Chen
Environment Leader Mahika Swamy House Leader – Bennett Lucy Xie House Leader – Goodlet Winter Shirvington House Leader – Hammond Zarah Hres
House Leader – Ingleholme Verity Haslam
House Leader – Lang Siobhan Hsu House Leader – Marden Zara Pattinson
House Leader – Thomas Annabelle Jones
House Leader – Wylie Matilda Hawkins
Intercultural Connections Leader
Bo Kyung (Rosa) Kim
Middle School Leaders
Amelia Brandon, Katherine Pan, Layne Phillips, Amber Wang
Student Communications Leader
Gyungwon (Emily) Kim Wellbeing Leader Nikita Srivastava
Final Assemblies
SECONDARY SCHOOL FINAL ASSEMBLIES
Year 8
Distinction
Madeline Arrage, Tully Black, Olivia Blayney, Sophia Chang, Abby Christopher, Emma Du, Maya Garg, Lumeng (Emma) Geng, Aysel Gupta, Ashleigh Ip, Ang-Ya Koo, Hoang Anh (Daisy) Le, Katrina Lin, Ella Liu, Annie Wanrong Luo, Katherine Macpherson, Ollisha Muthukuda, Erika Nakamaru, Ayana Sapra, Christiana Soo, Teresa Sun, Grace Townsend, Nityasree Viswanathan, Allison Wang, Josephine Wong, Jessica Worrell, Olivia Xu, Isabella Yu, Marissa Zhou, Evelyn Zhu
Citizenship
Ines Danziger, Zoe Glendinning, Anarghya Guru Prasad, Siyang (Amy) Mao, Mika Naito, Annabel Shanahan, Elizabeth Tang
Principal’s Project Winners
Emily Abadee, Allison Wang, Zi Xuan (Isabella) Xie
Helen Manners Dixon Achievement and Encouragement Award Christiana Soo
Religion and Ethics Award
Isabella Yu
Middle School Encouragement Award
Alia Curren
Year 8 Improvement Award Lily Owler
Middle School Award Emily Abadee
The Vicki Waters Award Tessa Halstead
Jenny Logue Memorial Prize for Improvement in Science Gemma Woo
Student Leaders for 2022 Boarders’ Representative Council
Maddie Morris, Alice Beveridge Chapel Leader Phoebe Paleologos
Community Service Leader Lily Owler
Environment Leader Emilia Massaro
House Leader – Bennett Annie Wanrong Luo
House Leader – Goodlet Samara Bond
House Leader – Hammond Madeline Taylor House Leader – Ingleholme Chloe Bookless
House Leader – Lang Sophie Laing House Leader – Marden Tully Black House Leader – Thomas Genevieve Hartin
House Leader – Wylie Anais Burnicle
Intercultural Connections Leader for 2022 Elizabeth Tang
Upper School Leaders for 2022
Evelyn Zhu, Madeleine Watson, Ang-Ya Koo, Emily Abadee
Student Communications Leader for 2022 Sabrina Cooke
Wellbeing Leader for 2022 Grace Rew
Year 9
Distinction
Anuradha (Radha) Apana, Ellie Beck, Georgia Bicego, Wing Hey (Rachel)
Chan, Lucy Chen, Amber Conlon, Arabella Cox, Charlotte Dhanu, Anna Drabsch, Maiya Foster, Alicia Ge, Grace Ho, Yeting (Lily)
Huang, Claire Lee, Angelina Lee, Jasmine Li, Sophie Ma, Emma Parsons, Xiaoke (Coco) Ran, Chengjia (Julie)
Sheng, Chelsea Shi, Tess Standfield, Alice Taylor, Mikayla Tsou, Anna Ward, Jiunn-Chyi (Margaret) Wu, Ellen Wu, Mulan Xu, Elena Zhang, Yu Zhou
Citizenship
Ellie Beck, Arabella Cox, Amelie Matthews, Harriet McLean, Aspen Moore, Manon O’Donnell
Helen Manners Dixon
Achievement and Encouragement Award
Giselle Kawane
Religion and Ethics Award
Zoe Leung
The Vicki Waters Award
Abigail Barfield
Principal’s Project Winner
Aliya Yang
Upper School Encouragement Award
Rui Wen Jian
Colours
Silver Colour – Language Arts Public Speaking
Joy Ye
Silver Colour –Rhythmic Gymnastics
Gigi Spiller
Gold Colour – Sailing
Sara Bruce
Student Leaders for 2022
Boarders’ Representative Council
Elena Duta, Saskia Fitzgerald
Final Assemblies
SECONDARY SCHOOL FINAL ASSEMBLIES
Chapel Leader
Kayla Barnard
Community Service Leaders
Maiya Foster, Yu Zhou
Environment Leader Elena Zhang
House Leader – Bennett Sarah Baker
House Leader – Goodlet Lucy Yates
House Leader – Hammond Grace Perrignon
House Leader – Ingleholme Niesha Gawde
House Leader – Lang Victoria Burton
House Leader – Marden Catherine Walker
House Leader – Thomas Arabella Smithyman
House Leader – Wylie Olivia Kelly
Intercultural Connections Leader
Chloe Kim
Upper School Leaders
Ellie Beck, Lydia Heazlewood-Lee, Claire Lee, Chengjia (Julie) Sheng
Student Communications Leader
Olivia Clifford
Wellbeing Leader
Arabella Cox Year 10
Distinction
Philippa Begg, Hanna Cheung, Senuli (Senu) Edirisinghe, Sophia Gao, Aileen Hao, Rose Haran, Charlotte Hartin, Christine Hur, Eloise Kinchington, Annelise Koh, Emma Lau, Yi Ying Lim, Alexandra Luxton, Kristen Ma, Alexandra MacColl, Zoe Moss, Lucia O’Dea, Cheuk Lam (Jolie) Pang, Genevieve Power, Claire Sun, Chloe Tran, Angie Wang, Saskia Willoughby-Winlaw, Kelly Wong, Rhedyn Wong, Yo Yo (Jessie) Xie, Xin Yue (Christy) Xue, Alyssa Yee, Angel Yu, Hayley Zhou
Citizenship
Ayesha Bhalerao, Freya Carmody, Hanna Cheung, Yi Ying Lim, Eleanor Owrid, Alyssa Yee
Manners Dixon Achievement and Encouragement Award
Nida Mehta
Religion and Ethics Award
Lucy Miller
Upper School Award
Caitlyn Tan
Principal’s Project Winners
Maya Hu, Sasha Wong, Jessie Xie
Patricia Burgoyne Public Speaking Award
Genevieve Power
ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award
Eleanor Owrid
Final Assemblies
SECONDARY SCHOOL FINAL ASSEMBLIES
ADF Future Innovators Award
Nida Mehta
The University of Sydney Prize
Charlotte Hartin
Music Scholarship – Senior Charlotte Allen
Prize for Academic Excellence in Year 10 Yo Yo (Jessie) Xie
ESU Scholars
Olivia Bransgrove, Isabella Watson
First in Subject Awards
Aboriginal Studies Freya Carmody Agriculture Jade Yang Chinese Beginners
Martina Chin Classical Greek Sophie Christopher Commerce (100 hours)
Alexandra MacColl Commerce (200 hours) Sophie Christopher, Alyssa Yee
Contemporary Music Kelly Wong Dance
Bonita Xie, Denise Wang
Design and Technology (100 hours)
Samantha Beverley
Design and Technology (200 hours)
Jade Yang Drama (100 hours)
Wynter O’Regan Drama (200 hours)
Freya Carmody, Olivia Eichmann
Big History
Alyssa Yee, Hayley Zhou
Elective Geography
Hayley Zhou, Gabrielle Zhong
Elective History
Yo Yo (Jessie) Xie, Aileen Hao
Elective Music
Christine Hur English Genevieve Power
Food Technology (100 hours) Helen Nguyen
Food Technology (200 hours)
Ayesha Bhalerao French Isabella Watson German Hanna Cheung Japanese Kelly Wong Latin Annelise Koh
Accelerant’s Prize for Latin Angie Wang
Marine and Aquaculture Technology Miki Culver Mathematics 5.1 Ella Jones
Mathematics 5.2 Sophie Waters
Mathematics 5.3 Cheuk Lam (Jolie) Pang
Mathematics Accelerants Yi Ying Lim
PDHPE
Rhedyn Wong
Photographic and Digital Media
Yi Zhen (Jacqueline) Qin
Physical Activity and Sports Studies (100 hours)
Lucia O’Dea
Physical Activity and Sports Studies (200 hours)
Saskia Willoughby-Winlaw Science
Hanna Cheung
Textiles Technology (100 hours)
Genevieve Power
Textiles Technology (200 hours)
Jessica Woo
Visual Arts (100 hours) Angelina Lu
Visual Arts (200 hours) Hanna Cheung
Stage 5 Mandatory Geography Angela Ye Stage 5 Mandatory Geography Angelina Lu
Stage 5 Mandatory History
Cheuk Lam (Jolie) Pang
Colours
Silver Colour –Drama Filmmaking Annie Chen
Silver Colour –Drama Production
Isla Harris, Claire Oslington
Final Assemblies
SECONDARY SCHOOL FINAL ASSEMBLIES
Medallions
Bronze Medallion
Abigail Ballhausen, Amarley Bron, Annabel Brown, Rhiannon Castle, Sophia Gao, Catherine Gavagna, Serena Leung, Samantha Lever, Yi Ying Lim, Tilly Morgan, Jessica Munk, Aimee Ng, Lucia O’Dea, Wynter O’Regan, Lucy Robertson, Emilia Ruscio, Emma Sargeant, Shivani Senthil, Sienna Stephens, Caitlyn Tan, Saskia Willoughby-Winlaw, Alice Windybank, Rhedyn Wong, Jessica Woo, Alyssa Yee
Student Leaders for 2022 Boarders’ Representative Council
Abigail Ballhausen, Angeline Sum
Chapel Leaders
Celine Hu, Caitlyn Tan
Community Service Leader Shivani Senthil
Environment Leader Freya Carmody
House Leader – Bennett Wynter O’Regan
House Leader – Goodlet Gabriella Taylor
House Leader – Hammond Georgia Alexander-Easaw House Leader – Ingleholme Yi Ying Lim
House Leader – Lang Saskia Willoughby-Winlaw
House Leader – Marden Elizabeth Tyson
House Leader – Thomas Natasha Newham
House Leader – Wylie Phoebe Mason
Intercultural Connections Leader
Isabella Watson
Senior School Leaders
Lucy Miller, Eleanor Owrid, Yo Yo (Jessie) Xie, Alyssa Yee
Student Communications Leader
Isla Harris
Wellbeing Leader
Ayesha Bhalerao
Spirit House Captains –Goodlet
Lucy Robertson, Sarah Thornton
Spirit House Captains –Hammond
Alice Hillsdon, Macey Leahy
Spirit House Captains – Lang Shijia (Isabel) Huang, Lauren Purkis Spirit House Captains –
Marden
Matilda Barwick, Isabelle Francis
Year 11
Distinction
Annabelle Ainsworth, Gianna Ariston, Philippa Austin, Meera Barani, Alisha Behl, Louise Bennett, Antoinette Boxall, Faye Chang, Annabella Cheng, Sophia Croudace, Isabel Dean, Emma Duggan, Chun Wai (Kirsten) Fong, Sophia Gao, Ella Gibietis, Olivia Harvey, Isabelle Ho, Chloe Hoang, Annabelle Jones, Caitlyn Kim, Claire Kim, Bella Macdonald, Annabel Maple-Brown, Rylee McKinstry, Tahmara Thomas, Anna Wang, Emma Wang, Qiao (Joy) Wang, Alison Whiteman, Alicia Xiao, Elisa Yang, Xin (Jasmine) Zhi
Citizenship
Louise Bennett, Arshia Bhardwaj, Holly Campbell, Satine de Lorenzo, Fiona Fu, Olivia Harvey, Isabella Hurst, Olivia Inkster, Annika Johnson, Frankie Lobban, Madison Lyster, Sofia Massaro, Angelica Tan, Jessica Tse
Religion and Ethics Award
Louise Bennett
Reuben F Scarf Award for Commitment
Gianna Ariston
Helen Manners Dixon Achievement and Encouragement Award
Nina Breckenridge
Year 11 Academic Achievement Award
Elisa Yang
Senior School Endeavour Award
Amali Hilton
Senior Music Scholarship Olivia Harvey
Head Cadet Hunter Roberts
Student Leaders for 2022
Student Communications Leader Annabella Cheng Environment Leader Sofia Massaro
Intercultural Connections Leader
Jasmine Pham
Wellbeing Leader Harriet Shaw
Community Service Leader Claire Kim House Leader – Bennett Delta Zarafetas
House Leader – Goodlet Kate Falconer-Flint House Leader – Hammond Natasha Moore
House Leader – Ingleholme Nicole Chan
House Leader – Lang Arabella Ibbotson
House Leader – Marden Hannah Rockwell
House Leader – Thomas Mia Finn
Final Assemblies
SECONDARY SCHOOL FINAL ASSEMBLIES
House Leader – Wylie Laura Wilson Colours
Silver Colour – Dance Eisteddfod Contemporary
Isabel Dean, Anika Perera, Haley Spring, Jessica Tse
Silver Colour –Drama Production
Amelia Fantham, Annika Johnson
Silver Colour –Eisteddfod Jazz
Isabel Dean, Anika Perera
Silver Colour –Acrobatic Gymnastics
Olivia Harvey Gold Colour – Orienteering Nea Shingler
Medallions
Bronze Medallion
Mia Baily, Olivia Barton, Rianna Bhat, Emilia Duncan, Layla Farook, Matilda Geddes, Olivia Harvey, Emily Horne, Claudia Johnston, Nicola Johnston, Hayley Leighton, Isabella Pettinato, Amelie Riley, Chloe Tedesco
Silver Medallion
Philippa Austin, Kristen Cook, Ciara Gibson, Freya Gordon, Isobel Gosper, Lilian Huntley, Olivia Inkster, Niraaya Jayasinghe, Annika Johnson, Georgina Maher, Annabel Maple-Brown, Sofia Massaro, Jessica Needham, Emilie Palme, Cayla Phillips, Camilla Reynolds, Nea Shingler, Georgia Spanswick, Haley Spring, Angelica Tan, Brianna Worsfold
Honour Awards
The Dorothy Knox Scholarship Tahmara Thomas
The Harvard Prize for Excellence in Year 11 Chloe Hoang, Caitlyn Kim
Year 12
Distinction
Emily Bannister, Megan Buson, Amber Cai, Ashley Chen, Cheuk Wing (Danielle) Cheung, Esther Choi, Alison Cook, Melanie Daixing, Serenna Di Bello, Katherine Gibson, Monique Goyen, Qizhi (Alice) Guan, Samantha Guthrie, Amy Jarvis, Tania Jashnany, Emily Ji, Isabelle Jimenez, Alexandra Johnson, Ella Jones, Rachel Kang, Hannah Kim, June Kim, Jessica Lin, Priya Mehra, Tara Narayan, Alessandra Natale, Tess Rickard, Arousha Soltany, Haylee Turner, Jiayi (Aggie) Wang, Huaiyue (Hailey) Wang, Yi-Yang (April) Wang, Yan Rong (Emma) Wu, Tania Yam, Michelle Yeom, Jingting (Rachel) Zhang
Citizenship
Charlotte Armstrong, Emily Bannister, Nicola Farquharson, Bethany Fratzia, Tania Jashnany, Eloise Jones, Rachel Kang, June Kim, Ella Koster, Emily Oppenheim, Tess Rickard, Emilia Soghomonian, Rose Tate, Zhizhen Wang, Tiarn Wilesmith
Principal’s Project Winner
Qizhi (Alice) Guan
The Vicki Waters Award Kailyn Joseph
The Boarder’s Award Madison Simson
Contribution to Boarding
Greta Roberts
Distinguished Long Attendance – The Libby Slater Memorial Award
Ilani Roder
ADF Future Innovators Award
Pragya Mehta
ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award
Emma Sullivan
The University of New South Wales Prize for Best Student in Mathematics Esther Choi
Gold Duke of Edinburgh
Sophia Benson, Lara Blair, Amy Cha, Sarah Chan, Samantha Connellan, Mia De Riz, Hannah Edwards, Nicola Farquharson, Emily Farrall, Victoria Graves, Emily Ji, Emily Oppenheim, Emilia Soghomonian, Sandy Yi, Sophia Yin, Yangyang Zhang
Subject Awards
Agriculture – Mollie Drummond Memorial Award
Samantha Guthrie
Ancient History – Martin
McIlrath Memorial Prize for General Proficiency
Alexandra Johnson, Alison Cook
Biology – Mollie Drummond Memorial Award
Samantha Guthrie, Priya Mehra Business Studies Award
Megan Buson Chemistry Award
Esther Choi, Michelle Yeom
Chinese Award
Ella Jones
Dance Award
Tiana Zarafetas, Megan Buson
Design and Technology Award
Eleanor Mannes
Drama – Maria Gillespie Prize
Amy Jarvis
Earth and Environmental Science – Heather Drummond Memorial Prize
Claudia Braysich
Economics Award
Hannah Kim English Advanced – D J Flockhart Memorial Award
Tess Rickard
English EAL/D
Yi-Yang (April) Wang, Huaiyue (Hailey) Wang
Final Assemblies
SECONDARY SCHOOL FINAL ASSEMBLIES
English Extension 1 –Martin McIlrath Memorial Award
Serenna Di Bello
English Extension 2 –Trenoweth Prize
Alison Cook
English Standard Award
Sophie Stone
Food Technology Award
Serenna Di Bello
French – Mrs Robert Vicars Prize
Jasmine David
Geography – Dorothy Cowie Memorial Prize
Qizhi (Alice) Guan
German Award
Ella Jones
History Extension Award Priya Mehra
History –The Humanities Award
Monique Goyen Hospitality Award
Jessica Sywak
Investigating Science Award
Anna Hong
Italian Beginners Award
Arousha Soltany
Japanese Award
Ruirui (Kelly) Zhao
Latin – Wyndam Davies Memorial Prize
Ashley Chen, Alessandra Natale
HSC Latin Extension
Angie Wang
HSC Latin Continuers
Angie Wang
Alister Henskens SC MP Legal Studies Award
Tania Yam
Mathematics Award
Serenna Di Bello, Samantha Guthrie Mathematics Extension 1 Award
Michelle Yeom Mathematics Extension 2 Award
Esther Choi Mathematics Standard 2 Award
Georgia Degotardi
Modern History –Harwood Award
Tess Rickard
Music Extension Katherine Gibson
Music Course 1 Award
Pragya Mehta
Music Course 2 Award
Tara Narayan
Personal Development Health and Physical Education Award
Alice Dixon
Physics Award
Esther Choi
Science Extension
Alexandra Whittingham
Science – Dorothy Cowie Memorial Prize
Tess Rickard
Software Design and Development Award
Elizabeth Zhu Chan
Studies of Religion –Jean Manwaring Prize
Emma Fryer
Textiles and Design Award
Mia Smal
Visual Arts – Joan Quincey Memorial Prize
Ruirui (Kelly) Zhao
Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Goulburn, Old Girls’ Association Award
Elizabeth Gan, Lucy Small, Lauren Sevil, Tara Narayan, Elizabeth Glenn, Emma Sullivan
Final Assemblies
SECONDARY SCHOOL FINAL ASSEMBLIES
Gold Medallion Emily Bannister, Halle De Souza, Georgina Ericsson, Adriana Fydler, Katherine Gibson, Samantha Guthrie, Ella Koster, Shivani Mehta
Boarding Deputy Head Prefect Brianna Kierath
Boarding Head Prefect Ella Jones
Deputy Head Prefect Samantha Guthrie
Head Prefect Priya Mehra
The Margaret Coleman Citizenship and Contribution to School Life Prize Alice Dixon, Michelle Yeom
The Gillian Moore Award for Innovation Brielle Castle, Isabelle Jimenez
The Dame Joan Hammond Music Award Hannah Grogan
Sports Girl of the Year Shivani Mehta
Proficiency in Work and Sport Samantha Guthrie Proficiency in Work and Performing Arts Amy Jarvis
The Ampol Best All Rounder Award
Katherine Gibson
The Jeanette Buckham Prize for All Round Excellence
Megan Buson
Honour Awards Medallions
Bronze Medallion
Nicola Farquharson, Elizabeth Glenn, Victoria Graves, Kailyn Joseph, Louisa Mitchell, Emma Reidy, Jessica Tyson
Silver Medallion
Bo Burton, Samantha Connellan, Alice Dixon, Laura Papworth, Claire Rogers, Alice Walker
The Scholars Award – The Dr Margaret Jones Memorial Prize Esther Choi, Emily Ji, Alessandra Natale
The School Prize Clare Macpherson, Ashley Chen
The Marden Prize Pragya Mehta
Dux Tess Rickard
Class of 2021
Paris Abedini House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 6
Stephanie Adler House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 7
Holly Anderson House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 7
Marguerite Andrews House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 5
Nicola Angus House: Lang Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Charlotte Armstrong House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 8
Mikayla Arthur House: Marden Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Ella Atkins House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 7
Taylor Attard House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 7
Caitlin Baldry House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 6
Jemma Baldwin House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 7
Emily Bannister House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 7
Eli Bass House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 7
Laura Bauman House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 10
Sophia Benson House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 3
Amy Betteridge House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 7
Eisha Bhardwaj House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 7
Lara Blair House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 4
Jaime Bott House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 8
Claudia Braysich House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Claire Browning House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Bo Burton House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 7
Megan Buson House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 5
Nikita Cahyadi House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 7
Class of 2021
Amber Cai House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 2
Alexis Cameron House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 11
Isla Cameron House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 7
Mia Campbell House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 7
Brielle Castle House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 7
Amy Cha House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 10
Sophie Chamberlain House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 7
Alicia Chan House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 10
Kasie Chan House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 9
Sarah Chan House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 1
Stephanie Chan House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 9
Ashley Chen House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Melinda Chen House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 7
Joyce Cheng House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 7
Danielle Cheung House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 7
Keisha Cheung House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Esther Choi House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 7
Samantha Connellan House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 5
Alison Cook House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 3
Kennedy Cooper House: Marden Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Amity Cox House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 7
Melanie Daixing House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 7
Jasmine David House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 9
Jessica Davidson House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 5
Class of 2021
Mia De Riz House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 7
Sahra De Santi House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 2
Halle De Souza House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Georgia Degotardi House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 7
Serenna Di Bello House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 7
Alice Dixon House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Siobhan Dubois House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 7
Talia Dunlop House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 7
Hannah Edwards House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 7
Georgina Ericsson House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 3
Lauren Eyers House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Nicola Farquharson House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 2
Emily Farrall House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Bethany Fratzia House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 7
Katelyn Freestone House: Lang Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Grace Fritz House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 3
Emma Fryer House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 7
Adriana Fydler House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 7
Elizabeth Gan House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 7
Elise Garrett House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 7
Leyla Gates House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 5
Lauren Geddes House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 3
Katherine Gibson House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 7
Elizabeth Glenn House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 7
Class of 2021
Margaret Goh House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 4
Monique Goyen House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 10
Sophie Graham House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 7
Victoria Graves House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 3
Isabella Green House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 6
Karenza Griffiths House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 5
Hannah Grogan House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 7
Alice Guan House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 8
Samantha Guthrie House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 7
Holly Hassall House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 3
Charlotte Hill House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 7
Jayda Holland House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 7
Anna Hong House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 7
Jennifer Huang House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 7
Serena Huang House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 7
Sarah Hunter House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 7
Charlotte Ivantsoff House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 7
Abby Jackson House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 7
Amy Jarvis House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 5
Tania Jashnany House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 7
Kristen Jewell House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 5
Emily Ji House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Helena Ji House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 5
Isabelle Jimenez House: Marden Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Class of 2021
Annabel Johns House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 7
Alexandra Johnson House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 4
Ella Jones House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 7
Eloise Jones House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 7
Lilian Jones House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 7
Kailyn Joseph House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 9
Isabella Kaleski House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 5
Rachel Kang House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 9
Serena Kao House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 7
Hana Kassam House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 5
Andie Kearns House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 9
Edie Kemp House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 7
Rhonda Kerr House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 7
Brianna Kierath House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 7
Sage Kikui House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 7
Hannah Kim House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 4
June Kim House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 1
Sarah Kim House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Livia Korng House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 11
Ella Koster House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 7
Jennifer Lee House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 7
Maddie Lewthwaite House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 3
Aurora Lin House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 10
Jessica Lin House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 7
Class of 2021
Audrey Little House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 9
Chloe Lo House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 10
Sarah Lonie House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 7
Charlotte Lowe House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 7
Isabella Ma House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 10
Grace MacDonald House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 5
Clare Macpherson House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Eleanor Mannes House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Sophie McFadyen House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 10
Lily McLeod House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 4
Priya Mehra House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Pragya Mehta House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 5
Shivani Mehta House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 5
Isabella Middleton House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 4
Louisa Mitchell House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 7
Sophia Mitchell House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 5
Tara Narayan House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 4
Alessandra Natale House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 7
Sophie Neave House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 11
Clair O’Brien House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Emily Oppenheim House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 5
Sarah Page House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 9
Laura Papworth House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 7
Emma Peters House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 5
Class of 2021
Felicity Pham House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 8
Isabella Pippia House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 6
Jade Potts House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Imogen Powell House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 7
Summer Qin House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 5
Sophia Quah House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 9
Bianca Raice House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 11
Chanelle Ratnam House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 7
Olivia Rechner House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 6
Emma Reidy House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 7
Tess Rickard House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 5
Greta Roberts House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 9
Ilani Roder House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Claire Rogers House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 4
Lara Roskam House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 7
Danielle Rusman House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 5
Shreya Rutnam House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Salwa Sabra House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 7
Hannah Sage House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 7
Sambavi Sasikaran House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 7
Emily Schliebs House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 5
Lauren Sevil House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Georgina Seymour House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 8
Madison Simson House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 7
Class of 2021
Mia Smal House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 7
Chloe Small House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 11
Lucy Small House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 7
Felicity Smith House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 5
Sophie Smith House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 11
Emilia Soghomonian House: Lang Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Arousha Soltany House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 10
Sophie Soo House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 7
Mia Souter House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 5
Olivia Standfield House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 7
Sophie Stone House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 10
Emma Sullivan House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 5
Eugenia Sung House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 11
Jessica Sywak House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 5
Rose Tate House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 5
Chelsea Taylor House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 7
Haylee Turner House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Jessica Tyson House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 7
Alyssa Vardy House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 7
Claudia Vowels House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 9
Alice Walker House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 7
Aggie Wang House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 10
Angela Wang House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 10
April Wang House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 10
Class of 2021
Hailey Wang House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 10
Zhizhen Wang House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 11
Mackenzie Watkins House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 9
Tara Watson House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 7
Vivian Wen House: Marden Started at Pymble: Year 5
Kyra Wheatley House: Lang Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Alexandra Whittingham House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 11
Tiarn Wilesmith House: Lang Started at Pymble: Year 11
Emma Wu House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 11
Kelly Wu House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 6
Dimity-Maree Xenos House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 10
Karen Xiao House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 9
Diana Xie House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 10
Tania Yam House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Kindergarten
Michelle Yeom House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 7
Sandy Yi House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 7
Sophia Yin House: Hammond Started at Pymble: Year 8
Madeline Zagorski House: Goodlet Started at Pymble: Year 1
Kiara Zarafetas House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 3
Tiana Zarafetas House: Bennett Started at Pymble: Year 5
Rebecca Zatz House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 7
Jenny Zhang House: Thomas Started at Pymble: Year 10
Rachel Zhang House: Wylie Started at Pymble: Year 11
Yangyang Zhang House: Ingleholme Started at Pymble: Year 10
Class of 2021
Wellbeing
Siena Novak, Adelaide Taylor, Victoria Apachou and Amelie Borean,Wellbeing
WELLBEING CAPTAINS’ REPORT
This year we were fortunate to be given a new prefect position at the College – the Captains of Wellbeing! Since Captains of Wellbeing coincidentally stands for COWs, we used a metaphor about cows in the first school assembly to provide the girls with an insight into our 2021 vision.
After some research, we discovered a fun fact that cows have (nearly) 360-degree panoramic vision! We took this in two ways – firstly, we wanted to have a 360-degree approach to encompass all aspects of wellbeing and secondly, we wanted to encourage the girls to have a holistic 360-degree approach to aspects of their life and their individual wellbeing. However, we also discovered that cows nearly have 360-degree vision and have one blind spot – directly behind them! We all have these ‘blind spots’ when it comes to our wellbeing which are things we repeatedly miss and ignore and as such, we encouraged the girls to identify their own ‘blind spots’ and as a result, we aimed to foster a healthy and supportive school environment.
The Giant Nap Day
In celebration of World Sleep Day and to raise awareness about the importance of healthy sleeping habits, Pymble held its first Giant Nap Day! Working alongside the Mind Body Spirit Prefects, the event was a huge success as students from Years 7 to 12 congregated on Gloucester Lawn at lunchtime on 22 April. The girls were invited to nap, soak up some sun, listen to classical music and recharge for the rest of the day.
Student Voice
In order to recognise student voice in matters relating to student wellbeing, we worked with Ms Rockwell, Dr Loch and prefects to conduct student focus groups to analyse data from the MMG Student Wellbeing Survey. After summarising the survey data, we presented this data to the cohort to incite further discussions.
Whole School Assembly Zumba
At the start of Term 2, we organised a whole school Zumba session with all students and staff engaging in the session.
Other Projects
Since wellbeing covers so many different aspects of student life, we were also involved in a variety of other projects. We attended an architecture excursion to the BVN Studio to discuss the design of the new Grey House Precinct project, participated in catering feedback meetings to represent the student body and delivered a vaping talk to Year 7 about the health impacts surrounding vaping. When students returned to online learning, we worked with the Executive team and other prefects to organise the Pymlympics so students could keep connected during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Acknowledgements
We would like to extend our gratitude to all the wonderful students and staff for their ongoing support, encouragement and engagement with our initiatives. A special thank you to Ms Rockwell for mentoring and guiding us throughout this experience, and Mrs Hawkins for all the support she provided!
Sarah Chan, Tania Yam and Tania Jashnany, Captains of Wellbeing
Middle School
While 2021 turned out to be quite a different year to what we expected, it was another fantastic one in the Middle School. Our girls were offered opportunities to adapt, build resilience and embrace learning whilst on and offline as they fostered new connections and developed strategies to support one another along the way. We are so proud of all of their achievements.
The year began with our Connections Week when we welcomed our new Year 7 students to the Middle School and offered them a range of activities to help support them to build new friendships, navigate the campus and prepare themselves for learning in the Secondary School. Throughout Semester 1, we continued to enjoy valuable connections with older students through the Year 10 Peer Support sessions and lunchtime Gloucester Gatherings, initiated by our brilliant Middle School Leaders –thank you! – who organised activities such as skipping competitions, designing Valentine’s Day cards, making friendship bracelets and much more.
During Term 1 we facilitated our annual Wellbeing Day for both year groups, with appropriate and diverse activities including some exciting bush art. This event was held at our Outdoor Education campus and was the first time that the girls had access to Vision Valley where the sun shone all day as the girls discovered the treasures of the site.
During Term 2 we were so fortunate to be able to roll out both the Year 7 and Year 8 Outdoor Education programs with Year 7 attending a four-day adventure at our Vision Valley campus and Year 8 stepping up to a five-day Challenge By Choice option at either the Somerset or Southbound venues. The girls were outstanding ambassadors for the College and demonstrated impressive stamina across a range of activities. Opportunities to foster friendships and consolidate connections away from routines were appreciated by all.
During the period of online learning, we encouraged the girls to continue to focus on the ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’ framework: Connect,
Take Notice, Keep Learning, Be Active and Give. We provided activities for the girls to engage with at home, such as writing letters to grandparents, committing to daily activity and developing new skills in order to maintain balance in their lives. Students were invited to engage with a wide range of initiatives in order to explore areas of interest, give back to their community and try something new. We had the Pymlympics, our own Year 7’s Got Talent competition, as well as our Middle School Leaders’ Weekly Challenges; all of which were enthusiastically embraced. The girls loved the mailout of seeds that they received from the team whilst in lockdown and shared images of growth and bloom via our Padlet.
Throughout Term 4 the Middle School embraced a number of exciting Community Service initiatives to demonstrate our care for others. Projects ranged from knitting joey pouches for WIRES, sewing felt hearts for babies in NICU wards and creating performance videos to cards for elderly people in residential care homes. We were so impressed with the way the girls embraced these initiatives and generously shared their talents with others in order to bring a little bit of joy.
On the return to campus midTerm 4, Years 7 and 8 welcomed guest speaker Michele Chevalley Hedge who spoke to the girls about the importance of good nutrition and sleep. Her messages around self-care and wellness were well received. As the term drew to a close we farewelled our Year 8 students with celebratory cupcakes as they made their way to the Upper School. In the final week of term we were thankfully able to come together to enjoy our traditional Middle School end of year barbecue with games on Gloucester.
Our Wellbeing program continued across online platforms to support the girls and maintain connections within the Middle School. Regular year group and Middle School assemblies, fun online Connect sessions, House activities and one-on-one catch up conversations with Connect teachers allowed relationships to be strengthened.
I would like to thank our Deputy Head of Middle School, Ms McNelly, our Heads of Year, Mrs Budd and Mr Levin, Ms Carr and Ms Lombard, alongside the Middle School Administration team, Mrs Tysoe, Mrs Volonakis and Mrs Sibug, for their commitment to the girls and for ensuring that each day in the Middle School is filled with warmth, kindness and appreciation.
Mrs Jenny O’Donnell, Head of Middle School
A MESSAGE FROM MRS O’DONNELLEmily Walker, Lucy McLean, Elke Payne and Elizabeth Yates, Year 7
Opportunities to foster friendships and consolidate connections away from routines were appreciated by all.
Middle School
MIDDLE SCHOOL LIAISONS’ REPORT
Links Day
Links Day offered the Year 7 girls their first glimpse of Pymble life in the Middle School. The girls split up into their House groups and participated in a variety of fun activities such as Zumba, orienteering and Tai Chi which enabled new girls and girls from the Junior School to connect as a year group for the first time. As Middle School Liaisons, we participated alongside the girls and encouraged them to form new connections with their peers while ensuring the activities ran smoothly. After much planning by the Middle School team, Links Day was a great success and allowed the girls to build foundations for the years ahead.
Year 7 Care Packages
Our primary focus for Term 1 was ensuring the smooth transition of our new Year 7 students so they felt welcomed and comfortable at Pymble. To greet the girls and introduce ourselves as their Middle School Liaisons, we created care packages, each containing a page of tips and inspiration, a Pymble hair ribbon, a map tailored to Year 7 students and some sweets. After a fantastic effort and help from other leaders packing the bags, the care packages were well received and helped the Year 7 girls acclimatise to their new surroundings.
Gloucester Gatherings
To assist the wellbeing of the Middle School students, various collaborative activities were introduced during lunchtimes every week known as Gloucester Gatherings. Ranging from handball competitions to origami to some high-stakes Jenga, all the girls were invited to participate and interact with peers outside their usual friend group and grade. By adding a few sweet treats and music here and there, the gatherings fostered some friendly competition while strengthening the sense of community in the Middle School.
June Kim, Laura Papworth and Lucy Small, Middle School Liaison PrefectsYear 7 Wellbeing Day
The Year 7 Wellbeing Day was a great way to relieve the nerves of starting school and give us a nice introduction to the College. We went to school, just like any other day, but instead of classes, we boarded a bus that took us to Vision Valley. When we first arrived, we went for a quick adventure around the valley before we listened to some talks and had recess. We were split into Houses and went on a little bushwalk to reach our destination: a lovely spot next to an old church, where we had a nature lesson to destress and relax. After that, it was lunchtime, so we headed back to the grass area to enjoy this with our friends. Then, it was time for the groups to swap activities, so I got to go in the pool and slide down the huge waterslide. It was quite cold but also refreshing. In the pool, we started a volleyball game, the ball was going everywhere but of course our team came out on top. When we were waiting in line for the waterslide, the staff would have a quick chat with each of us, asking questions like “what is your name?” and “how are you doing?” Sadly, every fun day must come to an end, and as we gathered waiting for the buses, we got to talk to all the friends we had made about the fun things we did. When we arrived back at school, everyone was exhausted! Wellbeing Day was very fun and worthwhile, and I hope we get to do it again to make new friends and try different activities.
Samantha Fahy, Year 7Upper School
A MESSAGE FROM MRS BOYD
2021 was a year that required flexibility and creativity in the Upper School.
Spark
In Term 1, Year 9 undertook the Spark program led by Burn Bright. Spark builds the toolkit to help our girls grow their confidence, positively express themselves, understand their personal values, experience gratitude and perspective and enhance their resilience. In addition, the program allows our girls to build empathy for each other and helps them discover how they can care for and respect themselves and others in their immediate community.
DARTA
In Year 10, Mr Paul Dillon addressed our girls in an interesting presentation. Through his business, Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA), Paul has worked in the area of drug education for the past 25 years. He is contracted by many agencies and organisations across the country to give regular updates on current drug trends within the community. Paul helped us to ensure that Year 10 students had access to good quality information and best practice drug education.
Online
Halfway through the year saw a shift to online learning for our students in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Year 9 and Year 10 students showed remarkable agility adjusting to new routines where they supported one another and staff in the digital world.
Compass time, Chapel and assemblies were live streamed and many online Co-curricular activities were created to keep our girls connected and entertained. Many Upper School students participated in ‘Read by US’, a studentled initiative through which Upper School students recorded readings of popular children’s books to keep our Preparatory School girls entertained during lockdown.
Co-curricular
Our musicians, dramatists, visual artists, public speakers and performers in the Upper School were very impressive. Our singers won the annual Performing Arts Competition (PAC) at school, and many performed in Drama ensembles that took out numerous prizes. Thank you to the performers who entertained the Upper School throughout the year both online and in person. Notably, Year 10 was State Grand finalists in the Evatt Competition, an academic simulation of the UN Council held by UN Youth Australia, Jacqueline Qin, Year 10, was the winner of the 13 to 15 Years Young Archie competition and Year 9 students showed their skills as budding authors by winning prizes in Write a Book in a Day for their story Behind the Camera
Kindness
Kindness was on display throughout the Upper School this year with Year 9 and Year 10 students eagerly participating in Pymble Gives Back Community Service initiatives. Our girls committed many hours of service over the year in our local community through Easy Care Gardening, Wrap with Love and Days for Girls led capably by Deputy Head
of Upper School, Mrs Hunt. Year 9 was captivated during a visit from Dr Andrew Browning, an Australian trained obstetrician and gynaecologist who has worked in Ethiopia and Tanzania for more than 13 years as a senior fistula surgeon (trained by Catherine Hamlin). After his visit they raised more than $1,000 in a week to support his cause.
Thanks
At the end of Term 3, I concluded my time as Head of Upper School. Thank you to the students, staff and parents who were a part of the Upper School journey in 2021, I enjoyed every minute of the role. At the commencement of Term 4, Years 9 and 10 provided a warm welcome to Mr Tom Riley to the role. Mr Riley was most recently the Head of Student Wellbeing at Kinross Wolaroi School in Orange. It was my pleasure to welcome Mr Riley and his family into the Pymble community. I wish him every happiness and success as he undertakes this role.
Mrs Melissa Boyd, Head of Upper SchoolA Message from Mr Riley
It was fantastic to join the Upper School in Term 4, albeit in slightly odd circumstances whilst learning continued online.
Nevertheless, being online provided a wonderful opportunity for me to witness the resilience and enthusiasm of the Upper School girls first-hand, with some fantastic assemblies, leadership meetings and social activities still being held. Once back on campus, the excitement levels were difficult to contain with the Upper School courtyards awash with the screams and laughter of joy and happiness as the students rekindled their friendships.
Mr Tom Riley, Head of Upper School
Upper School
UPPER SCHOOL LIAISONS’ REPORT
When we stepped into the role of Upper School Liaisons, we wanted to spread a message of respect. Through engaging and connecting with the girls in small groups and talking to them at assemblies about managing their stress and taking time to look after themselves, we tried to spread the concept of self-love and respect starting from within.
Welcome Packs
Our first initiative in the Upper School was creating welcome packs for the Years 9 and 10 girls as a way of introducing ourselves and showing a little bit of support as they went on holidays. We also held a New Student Morning Tea for all new girls in the Upper School. For this, we also created personalised packages that included advice, tips and tricks to help them navigate life in the Upper School. It was a great opportunity to learn more about the girls and build our cross-school relationships.
We will miss the Just Dance sessions with Years 9 and 10!
Mentoring
A large part of our role was working with and mentoring the Years 9 and 10 Upper School Leaders. Whether it was standing behind the curtain helping the girls run their assembly or just passing over the script, it was a pleasure to see the girls grow into their roles and lead their peers with such courage and responsibility. We will miss the Just Dance sessions with Years 9 and 10!
International Women’s Day
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Emma was lucky to join the Years 9 and 10 Upper School Leaders to represent Pymble at the United Nations International Women’s Day lunch. The students were honoured to hear from Australian of the Year Grace Tame. Her message of strength and increased power for women was paired with key messages to make a change for gender equality within Australia and was empowering to listen to.
Although our favourite part of being liaisons was definitely meeting so many wonderful people, being able to walk through the Upper School and see so many smiles and waves certainly made a big impact on us. We hope our messages of respect, love and support helped the girls in some way.
Karenza Griffiths, Pragya Mehta and Emma Sullivan, Upper School Liaison PrefectsCarlyn Suhendra, Giselle Kawane and Chloe Frontczak, Year 9 Yuki Wang, Year 9 Pragya Mehta, Karenza Griffiths and Emma Sullivan, Year 12
Upper School
YEAR 9 CHARITIES
Year 9 students at Pymble Ladies’ College were actively engaged with some incredible charities in 2021 and fostered a sense of community and raised awareness about the following organisations:
Barbara May Foundation
The Barbara May Foundation’s primary focus is safer childbirth, the delivery of live babies, and mothers not dying or injured during childbirth in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Dr Andrew Browning has made a significant change to the women in Africa. He has saved and helped many lives through the help of donations. Every day, women in Africa are suffering from not having a clean space to have their baby or they are struggling from having a fistula. Through the generous help of others, he has made such a significant change that has had a massive impact on many women through raising awareness. With the help of the Year 9 students, we can make many women happy and live better. Let’s make a change Pymble!”
– Noora Miraki, Year 9Days for Girls
Days for Girls is one of the College’s Community Service initiatives, allowing for meaningful involvement with the local and extended community, and interaction with people of diverse cultures and lifestyles. The organisation handles Period Poverty and makes washable and reusable menstrual health products for women around the world that do not have access to suitable products for their menstrual cycle. As part of the program at Pymble, girls have the opportunity to make these period kits to help women around the world manage their periods.
“Days for Girls is a brilliant initiative that allows Pymble girls to come together during lunchtimes and have a real impact on the lives of women around the world. Volunteering creates a feeling of fulfilment and creates an opportunity to engage with other students who have similar interests and speak to other students who you may not usually speak. We made a contribution to the wellbeing of women in developing countries and had fun while doing it.”
– Lauren Carruthers, Year 9Wrap with Love
Wrap with Love allows students to volunteer by knitting and sewing to create wraps to transport around the world for people in need of warmth.
“Wrap with Love is a community service that some of our wonderful students help with. They knit squares which become blankets that can be delivered to those in need. This service helps our community as we are gifting them something warm to snuggle up in on a cold night. By doing this we are making a difference and lending a helping hand to those who need it most.”
– Catherine Nachar, Year 9 Jiya Tanna, Year 9With the help of the Year 9 students, we can make many women happy and live better.Mrs Edwina O’Brien (English and Aboriginal Studies Teacher) and Celine Hu, Year 10
Senior School
A MESSAGE FROM MRS WYSE“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”
– Maya Angelou2021 presented more than its fair share of challenges – academic, social and physical – for the Senior School girls and our community. With the year interrupted by long weeks of online learning and lockdown, the girls showed incredible resilience and initiative to remain connected to their friends and committed to their learning and Co-curricular pursuits.
Despite the disrupted schedule, the Year 11 and Year 12 girls still enjoyed plenty of social functions with both years celebrating at their formal dances. The Year 11 Retreat at Collaroy went ahead which provided a key event for the year group to grow their social networks and hear from interesting and engaging speakers. The Year 12 girls also enjoyed their annual Food for Thought luncheon with ex-students, and the fun of Trivia Night where they dressed up and raised money for Taldumande Youth Services, an organisation that supports homeless and vulnerable youth in Sydney. The Senior School also celebrated International Women’s Day, with its 2021 theme, ‘Choose to Challenge’.
A group of students attended the International Women’s Day lunch and had the opportunity to hear the keynote address from Grace Tame, the Australian of the Year and fierce advocate for women’s rights. Her presentation was both challenging and inspiring to hear, and I know that all of us who heard her speak will never forget her message.
Once again, the Senior School knitted literally hundreds of squares for Wrap with Love, and celebrated community service with parents, grandparents and friends at our yearly Knit-In.
This year also saw the introduction of a new Mind Body Spirit initiative with our Directions classes. In these fortnightly sessions the girls
worked through a varied curriculum of understanding their strengths, strategies for physical and social safety and wellbeing, emotional regulation, and more practical sessions concerning careers and readiness to leave school. Most importantly, these lessons provided wonderful opportunities for students and staff to discuss topical issues and share strategies for maintaining our wellbeing.
As we headed into online learning the Senior School girls once again took up the challenge and engaged in their classes with responsibility and independence, while still maintaining their involvement in a variety of online sporting, academic and cultural opportunities. Innovative responses were required and the staff and girls worked hard and with a great sense of originality and determination to continue with online music, dance, debating, public speaking, and regular fitness workouts and training sessions.
During lockdown both Years 11 and 12 completed their Yearly and Trial HSC examinations online and showed amazing resilience and flexibility.
Some of the final Year 12 festivities had to be transferred to online events, culminating in a very moving and warm Graduation Assembly on the final day of Term 3. The Year 12 girls received a graduation pack and a commemorative yard sign on the day of the assembly which saw all areas of the College represented in farewell messages and performances. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Year 12 girls will celebrate their final Chapel Service, awards ceremony and the Valedictory Dinner in January 2022.
In Term 4, the return to learning on campus brought a welcome sense of vitality and good humour back into the Kate Mason Building. Through online assemblies, Chapel services and guest speakers, the Senior School girls and prefects worked hard to build connections and lead their younger peers across the College.
2021 was a year of flexibility, grit and accomplishment for the girls in the Senior School. As circumstances changed they learned to accept that there are some things that cannot be altered, but our responses and reactions to them can. They involved themselves wholeheartedly in a range of opportunities and maintained a kind and supportive community. I would like to pay tribute and acknowledge the work of the prefects, and all the Senior girls who volunteered as online big sisters, organised and led on campus and online initiatives and continued to engage in their own learning with such personal dedication and perseverance. As the oldest students in the College and student leaders, you all set a fine example of community, service and care as you lived the College values in your thoughts and actions.
Mrs Nikki Wyse, Head of Senior SchoolSenior School
SENIOR SCHOOL LIAISONS’ REPORT
As the 2021 Senior School Liaison Prefects, our aim was to form genuine connections between the girls, and provide comfort and support throughout the Kate Mason Building. We achieved this through initiatives and events during the course of the year that we could engage in together.
International Women’s Day
This year’s International Women’s Day provided Pymble girls with the opportunity to contribute towards a global movement which strives to celebrate the achievements of women and calls for action towards reaching gender parity. The theme for 2021, ‘Knowing People, Knowing Pymble’, highlighted the importance of getting to know Pymble’s diverse community. On Gloucester Lawn, we had Secondary School students play live in the Pymble Jazz Band and accompany a guest singer, ex-student Ms Briana Cowlishaw (2006). Whilst enjoying the music, students set up picnics and celebrated together.
The Senior School took part in the #ChooseToChallenge initiative where we collected photographs of students holding up different empowering messages as they held the ‘power pose’. These pictures were then displayed around the Senior School. We also had a large map of the world placed in the building where students could mark where they were from by placing a sticker on their country. This enlightened the Years 11 and 12 girls as to how diverse our community is and how lucky we are to share so many rich cultural backgrounds within our school.
Food for Thought
The annual Food for Thought luncheon was a highlight for our Year 12 students, who were given the opportunity to engage with 2020 Pymble alumni and to seek advice on coping with the challenges of the HSC. The most common advice passed on to us was that we would have a successful final year by having an open-minded mentality and managing our time to ensure a balanced lifestyle. Our guest speaker, Ms Freya McGahey (2012), Philanthropist Manager at the Bangarra Dance Theatre, inspired many girls with her passion for community engagement. Her determination and persistence through her struggles and her fulfilling career opportunities prepared us to not only embark on our final year of high school keeping an open mind to opportunities as they present, but for the future challenges beyond the HSC.
Despite COVID-19 lockdowns and online learning, we enjoyed several celebrations, opportunities and memories. We would like to thank Mrs Wyse, Ms Gallardo, Ms Ventura, Mrs Harrison, Mrs Pryor, Mr Heggie and Mrs Mimmo for their unwavering support throughout the year. It was so special to be part of such an enthusiastic and loving cohort and we wish the best to everyone in years to come!
Tiana Zarafetas and Emma Reidy, Senior School Liaison Prefects
It was so special to be part of such an enthusiastic and loving cohort
Senior School
CAREERS NIGHT
This year’s Pymble Careers Expo was highly anticipated after being cancelled due to COVID-19 in 2020. Straight after school on Monday 29 March, our Years 10 to 12 students attended the expo to learn more about universities and how to achieve their future goals.
The pavilion and the gym were packed with tables and people presenting information about career opportunities and answering questions.
There were representatives from 45 universities, colleges, academies and institutes from all across Australia, including Macquarie University, UTS, UNSW, TAFE NSW, the Australian Institute of Music, International Sports College Australia, Defence Force Recruitment and countless others.
Overall, it was a very successful and productive night for the students. Leaving the hall carrying armfuls of pamphlets, brochures and booklets, we certainly had a lot more to think about, and were excited for the bright, opportunity-filled future ahead of us.
You all set a fine example of community, service and care.
Outdoor Education
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
2021 was a big year in Outdoor Education at Pymble Ladies’ College with some wonderful new programs being integrated into the new Outdoor Education continuum for students. The new continuum aims to provide students with a life-changing journey that empowers them to be courageous and to approach new challenges with optimism and excitement. The key focus areas of the continuum include personal growth, connection to peers, life skills, leadership, rites of passage and environmental stewardship. These outcomes were evident during each program and rewarding for all involved.
Despite another fragmented school year, students from every year level from Kindergarten to Year 10 had the opportunity to take part in an Outdoor Education experience, with the advantage of having the wonderful Vision Valley campus to use for many programs.
Preparatory
In Terms 1 and 2, the Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students took part in Nature Immersion sessions on campus. These sessions were aimed at getting students more in touch with nature, being creative and exploring their environment more
intricately. A very enjoyable time was had by all with activities ranging from sensory connection to nature, bush art, obstacle courses and team games and campfire marshmallow toasting.
Junior
In February, the Junior School students all took to the outdoors in the same week on exciting and varied programs.
The Years 3 and 5 students boarded buses for an adventure at Vision Valley involving bushwalking, team games and initiatives, orienteering, swimming and a camp out in tents for the Year 5 students.
The Year 4 students had a fun-filled and educational three days staying at Chowder Bay and Cockatoo Island immersed in the marine environment. They participated in a marine education session where they were involved in many activities including snorkelling, rafting, team
initiatives, kite flying and learning campcraft for a night out in tents on Cockatoo Island.
The Year 6 students ventured further afield heading south to the beautiful Kiama coast where they enjoyed four days of coastal activities including coastal walks, swimming, snorkelling, surfing, kayaking, exploring blowholes and enjoying beach activities and team games whilst staying in both cabins and tents.
Year 10
In March, our Year 10 students were lucky to travel down to Murramarang National Park for their Outdoor Education experience. They were able to explore the coastline by bushwalking, kayaking, snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding and surfing, and enjoying an Indigenous immersion experience and campsite cooking. A smaller group of students took on the challenge of an expedition between different campsites, carrying their packs and equipment, helping prepare their own meals and enjoying the journey along the beautiful, rugged coastline.
Year 8
The Year 8 girls were next to enjoy the great outdoors in May on a ‘Challenge by Choice’ program, where they had the opportunity to choose between a coastal adventure or a bush expedition. Both programs were hugely successful with students camping for five days and taking on a variety of challenging activities aimed to prepare them for longer and more adventurous Outdoor Education experiences in 2022 and beyond.
Outdoor Education
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Amidst the stunning backdrop of Killalea State Park, those choosing the coastal option enjoyed surf lessons, coastal walks, mountain biking, SUP’ing, Indigenous immersion, bush regeneration and environmental games. Meanwhile, the expedition students had an action-packed week at Camp Somerset as they moved from campsite to campsite along the Colo River as part of a journey. Students bushwalked, paddled and climbed through the wilderness whilst stopping off to enjoy additional activities such as archery, mud runs, initiatives and camp cooking competitions.
Year 7
The Year 7 students were next up for their adventure in June, using Vision Valley as their base for some fun and challenging activities and venturing into the beautiful Berowra National Park on Vision Valley’s front doorstep.
The four-day program involved an expedition day, paddling canoes on Berowra River and bushwalking sections of the Great North Walk, alongside many activities at Vision Valley designed for students to challenge themselves, work as a team, connect with peers and explore their environment. Much fun was had hiking, paddling, mountain biking, completing high ropes challenges, participating in a team adventure race and camping out under the stars.
Year 9
The Year 9 girls closed off the year with an incredible ten-day experience at Vision Valley involving an Outdoor Education program ‘Signature Experience’ and some ‘R&R’ activities. As the first year group to spend an extended period of time at Pymble’s wonderful new campus, students really seized the opportunity to have a go at everything in an unfamiliar environment as they faced activities with an open mind and much positivity. During the Outdoor Education component of the program, students learned about navigation, first aid, weather and campsite catering and challenged themselves up the walls and on the high ropes courses, on mountain bikes, in canoes on the dam and camping out overnight.
Congratulations
It was an immensely enjoyable and successful year for Pymble Outdoor Education. These programs were not only great preparation for students for their future experiences within the continuum, but enabled students to push themselves beyond their own comfort levels and to better connect with their environment and their peers.
Huge congratulations to all students!
Miss Georgie Cain, Experiential Educator
It was an immensely enjoyable and successful year for Pymble Outdoor Education.Jessica Slater, Xanthe Uther, Sameera Dutta, Sarah Glenn, Arabella Sherlock and Lucinda Woodfield, Year 9 Ella Liu and Linda Ma, Year 8
Outdoor Education
YEAR 7
The Year 7 Outdoor Education experience was held at Vision Valley – a beautiful and extensive space that offers a range of outdoor activities and a diverse range of opportunities. We were split into two groups; Hammond, Wylie, Marden and Inglehome went in Week 6 from Monday to Thursday and Bennett, Lang, Goodlet and Thomas went in Week 7. All of Year 7 experienced four days filled with unique experiences such as high ropes courses, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, camping, archery and so much more, all without technology!
“Year 7 Outdoor Education introduced us to new experiences, tons of fun and new friends. You never know who you might end up being friends with unless you really spend time with them! My favourite activities were making spaghetti, archery, mountain biking, and camping in a tent, which were all new to me. Other memorable experiences, which weren’t as fun, were encountering leeches, hiking and eating a cold, soggy burrito. On a brighter note, however, sleeping in a tent with my friend was great. The high ropes weren’t scary at all, and I thought archery was something I could get used to.” – May Zhang, Year 7
“Year 7 Outdoor Education was an exciting yet daunting opportunity for me as many things that we learned and experienced were completely different from my normal life. The experiences were challenging for me, in particular, when kayaking I was always the last kayak in my group. My partner was furious with me! Altogether though, Outdoor Education ended up being a fun, memorable experience to enjoy with my friends.” – Soraya Catchpole, Year 7
“Year 7 Outdoor Education was a well-worth-it difference from our normal school life. We had the opportunity to meet and create friendships with people in our year we had never met before. As well as the daily activities, we were able to experience fun activities after dinner, for example, we had an astrology evening. Even though Outdoor Education was challenging at times, it was definitely an amazing experience that I will never forget.”
– Jahle Tez, Year 7
Year 7 Outdoor Education was definitely a diverse experience and was completely out of our comfort zone –that’s not a bad thing though. We had so much fun, discovered new hobbies and made plenty of friends. It was a drastic change from staring at a computer screen all day!
Jahle Tez, May Zhang and Soraya Catchpole, Year 7
YEAR 10
Students in Year 10 went on a five-day Outdoor Education experience in 2021. The students had the opportunity to decide between Vision Valley, Soul and Sea or a Coastal Expedition in Murramarang, each with its challenges.
Soul and Sea
It took four hours to get to Murramarang National Park to begin our Soul and Sea experience. Groups of 12 to 15 girls were assigned a guide and a teacher in order to keep everyone safe and teach the new activities. During this experience, there were a lot of long hikes with our day packs on, surfing, cooking all three meals, snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding, Indigenous lessons and even a sandcastle competition. It was one of the most memorable trips ever, filled with activities with a touch of relaxation and reflection. During the paddle boarding adventure, we met two instructors by a massive lake. They taught us the safety regulations and how to paddle board. Then we cautiously paddled to a wider area where we played some games such as Gladiator, Colonisation, Raft Run and even did some yoga. It was an exciting experience, with lots of laughter and falling off the board.
Coastal Expedition
The Murramarang Coastal Expedition was a five-day hike. Each day you moved to a different location alternating who was carrying what, such as food for the day, water, tents and pegs, Trangias (portable stoves) and clothes. There were four groups that did the coastal expedition. Two started at the top of the coast and made their way down and the other two groups made their way up hiking more than 28 kilometres.
A significant thing that happened in my experience was walking across a beach made of rocks and a cliffside whilst it was rainy, wet and slippery. There was lots of moss and heavy packs which made it hard to balance and walk across without falling over. It was by far the hardest part.
Throughout the experience we formed lots of memories and connections with not only our own group but the others around us. There were definitely ups and downs and competitions against other groups, but the experience was so much fun and something that will stick with everyone.
Boarders
Giselle Kawane, Aspen Moore, Stella Robertson and Victoria Burton, Year 9Boarders
BOARDING HEAD PREFECTS’ REPORT
Sisterhood
The Prefect-run Big Sister Little Sister program was successful in creating friendships between Boarders in all year groups and helped to make an easy transition for new Boarders. Girls in Years 7 to 9 were allocated a Senior Boarder who mentored their younger buddy. Boarding Prefects assisted the Year 10 girls in hosting their little sisters for a movie night in Goodlet House and, throughout the year, hosted the Prefect Supper Club where younger year groups enjoyed supper and a chat in Lang House. Sisterhood is at the heart of Boarding and Prefects visited Marden girls to tuck them in at night which helped to form strong friendships. Girls from all year groups met every Friday for Boarders Get Baking, a much-loved activity run by the wonderful Mrs Wiedemann, TAS Assistant, who baked delicious treats with girls from all years.
jersey to commemorate three Boarders who tragically passed away in 1993. The celebration of the Boarding sisterhood raised money for the Boarding Scholarship, a truly life-changing opportunity for a Year 7 girl.
Boarding Instagram
This year we introduced the long-awaited official Boarding Instagram account! We created it to connect girls to their families and also the wider community and to showcase moments in Boarding that people would not usually see. It was a great success.
Community
The sense of community in Boarding is unique. We cherished time spent together in our tight-knit community through a range of activities in 2021. Community weekends were held once a term with fun activities like Raging Waters, African drumming workshops and group orienteering to foster relationships between girls. We also came together on Valentine’s Day with ‘speed dating’ to promote new friendships and conversations. Lunar New Year, celebrated with an amazing oriental dinner on Marden Lawn, was inspired by our diverse community and highlighted the many cultures which make Boarding so special.
Celebrating Boarding
Boarders’ Week in Term 2 was a highlight for Boarders and Day girls alike. We celebrated with volleyball, basketball and AFL games, a pink themed mufti day, a bacon and egg breakfast for staff and a bush band who taught us line dancing. It was special to see support from the whole school, even after the Boarders beat the Day girls in both basketball and volleyball!
The traditional Jersey Day continued to bring a great sense of community as the whole school wore their favourite
It was special to see support from the whole school, even after Boarders beat the Day girls in both basketball and volleyball!Erica Williams, Stella Robertson, Hannah Thornton, Victoria Burton and Skye Pockley, Year 9 Mia Lorimer, Dr Kate Hadwen (Principal), Addison Seeto and Phoebe Roberts, Year 7
Boarders
Leadership
Leadership is embedded throughout Pymble Boarding, independence and confidence is encouraged and facilitated with opportunities for girls of all ages to contribute and become leaders. The Boarders’
Representative Council (BRC) includes two girls from each year group and the Head and Deputy Head Boarding Prefects and meets fortnightly to provide a platform for girls to voice their opinions and represent their year group. Discussions ranged from Boarders’ merchandise, Love It activities and, one that came up frequently, food! Another leadership role in Boarding is our Year 11 Spirit House Captains who worked closely with our Prefects to lead fortnightly Chapel Services and helped organise Community Weekends.
Boarders
JERSEY DAY
On the eve of the June long weekend, our Pymble community joined together to celebrate our annual Jersey Day to support our Boarding sisters. Jersey Day is a memorable day in our school calendar where we celebrate not only the sisterhood of Pymble Boarders, but the sisterhood of our whole school community, in remembrance of three beautiful Boarders who tragically passed away in a plane accident in 1993. Alanda Clark, Jane Gay and Prudence Papworth were heading home for the long weekend on 11 June when their plane crashed just outside the country town of Young.
This special day is close to our hearts with every student encouraged to wear their favourite jersey to school. The girls are asked to bring in a gold coin donation with all money raised going to the Boarding Scholarship.
Overall, Jersey Day was a memorable day within our community. It was lovely to see an array of colours not only from the Boarders’ pink jerseys, but also those of our Day girls who also showed their support. Through keeping such a tradition alive, we are able to show our support to those three beautiful girls’ families, making sure their memory lives on and their spirit of friendship is kept alive.
Boarders
LIVE IT, LOVE IT, LEARN IT
The Boarding Live It, Love It, Learn It program covers three aspects of fun and enjoyment for our Boarding community outside the classrooms.
Learn It
Learn It is a fantastic program where part-time academic tutors, from beyond the school gates to our Pymble teachers, help Boarders with their projects, homework and organisation. There is usually a schedule of all the tutors present on that day and Boarders sign up on a time slot sheet in order to have a 30-minute session with their chosen tutor. The tutors are very resourceful, with extensive knowledge of specific subjects such as English, History, Science and just about anything else you could imagine.
Love It
With all of our Boarding community engaged in fun outdoor activities, wild experiences and new opportunities, the Love It program is a favourite part of the Boarding experience creating connections with not only housemates but the local community. This aspect of the program is popular as it keeps many girls engaged with what Sydney has to offer by going on excursions to the city, cheering on football or netball games, and participating in arts and crafts with experts coming straight to our door.
Live It
Our Live It program is designed to teach us basic life skills that will support us in our lives once we leave home. Every Friday afternoon we have the chance to go to Boarders Get Baking and learn cooking skills. We also have the chance to learn sewing skills, letter writing, and we even do our own laundry.
Community Weekend
Our Boarding program also includes our fabulous community weekends where all Boarders get involved in House activities and form connections with girls outside their year group with some friendly competition. The Angus Cup, Boarders’ Sports Cup and Boarders’ House Cup are at the heart of all our inter-house competitions with everyone competing in a range of fun activities in order to win House points. The traditional Raging Waters competition is by far the most popular with every girl going on as many rides as possible in House groups to earn points. This is quite a test of one’s bravery when it comes to certain rides, and speed in order to make it to all the rides before the day is over.
The Angus Cup race is also another fan favourite with House groups sent out to run around the city and complete a range of different activities as quickly as possible and make it back to school before time runs out. As the time ticks, the home stretch always seems longer than normal. It is also a great orientation to Sydney for our new Boarders.
Sunday church is also another privilege for our Boarders to connect with the local community by sharing an early morning service with locals from Pymble Uniting and Gordon Church. The morning is generally finished off with a delicious brunch set up by our amazing Pymble caterers and chats with many of the locals. To finish off such an action-packed weekend, there is nothing better than roasting marshmallows in the fire under the stars together.
Catrina Kong, Year 10 and Victoria Burton, Year 9
YEAR 12 BOARDERS
Back Row: Summer Humes, Year
Bomy Kim, Year
Front Row: Ms Catherine Knox (1977), Mrs Nikki Wyse (Head
Annika Johnson,
Alyssa Yee,
Special Events
FOUNDATION DAY
Students and staff fell silent as the footsteps of a beaming woman tapped their way to the lectern. She spoke, encouraging the younger girls to ask one another to play, to include one another, and motivating the older students to cultivate the seed that they are planting now, “for that is where the marrow of life lives”.
Pymble pride is prevalent through the entire College, especially on Foundation Day, and this year was no exception! On Wednesday 10 February, students from Years 5 to 12 gathered to celebrate the 105th birthday of our school. The College was blessed to welcome a motivational guest speaker, ex-student Dr Catherine Yang (1994), back onto its grounds. Dr Yang spread the message of how there are always inevitable failures, and how true strength relies on how we react to this. She emphasised the importance of kindness and talked about how her teachers and classmates provided friendship, support, and a sense of belonging when she was struggling in Year 11.
After arriving from Taiwan with limited English-speaking abilities, Dr Yang was forced into a fast integration into her senior years in Australia, and certainly strove for her highest! Now a dentist with a thriving career and a bestselling book, she imparted valuable life lessons during her presentation at Foundation Day. These included, but were not limited to, the importance of friendliness and compassion, building a strong support network throughout the schooling years, as well as developing resilience when overcoming setbacks. One of the main takeaways of Dr Yang’s speech was to “step on fear” and to never let it prevent us from achieving our ambitions.
During her interactive speech that captivated the crowd, Dr Yang also enlightened us about the importance of gratitude. She spoke of a plethora of qualities that Pymble girls should take pride in but also be grateful for; their intelligence, their capabilities, the friendships they nurture, and a Pymble education that gives them the “superpowers to create an impact on the world”.
Dr Yang concluded her delightful speech by asking all the staff and students what the number one thing she wanted us to take away from her speech. Of course, that was gratitude, a fantastic and key feature at the core of our fabulous school. Just look at what we have learned in Directions!
“A very small and kind gesture will change a person’s life.”Emma Parsons and Phoebe Yi, Year
Special Events
JACARANDA DAY“Catching the falling purple blooms of the Jacaranda is a sign of good luck.” These words were spoken by our 2022 Head Prefect Chloe Hoang on 16 November, the day that marked our school’s most valued tradition - Jacaranda Day.
We would traditionally see the parade of white summer hats on Gloucester Lawn underneath the branches of the much-loved Jacaranda tree. Sitting in tangled lines with the blaze of the sun accentuating the beauty of the azure sky above them, students would watch and listen to those presenting in front of them.
This year, it was completely different. Sitting in separate classrooms, separated by the walls of the Colonnade, the whole Pymble family was still brought together through a live stream that broadcasted the service. Despite the digital obstacles presented by COVID-19, we were still able to resonate with the words of our first speaker, Chloe, who presented a letter to the Jacaranda tree titled ‘Dear Jacaranda tree’.
We were fortunate to be able to listen to the guest speakers of the event, Ms Catherine Knox (1977) and Ms Libby Gauld (1997) the Chair and Director of Development of the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter. Pymble girls performed their version of the song Hallelujah with the melody echoing from the Chapel through the screens to all Pymble staff and students.
Even though we could not live up to the tradition of Jacaranda Day where students from all corners of the school gather face-to-face to celebrate, the Pymble spirit still shone even through the thickest barriers of technological issues.
The culture and story behind our Jacaranda tree made this annual service meaningful in every way possible. With the school contributions to the Exodus Foundation and Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter, we further added to the special meaning of the day.
Of course, this new experience allowed both staff and students to explore the power of technology as we found ourselves relying on it once again. But maybe next year, we won’t have to deal with Wi-Fi issues!
Special Events
On Friday 17 September we farewelled our class of 2021 at their online graduating assembly. While graduating in a pandemic may be worlds away from what our girls imagined, we are Pymble Proud of the resilience and strength they showed over the year.
Dr H missed you terribly as she said goodbye from our empty gym, although she had a few familiar faces, or should we say cut-outs, to keep her company!
Commemoration Day
Since 1919 the last Sunday of July has been a significant day for the Pymble community, as we come together to honour the Dedication of the College. In 2021, the event was held online on Sunday 8 August.
Social Responsibility
COMMUNITY SERVICE CAPTAINS’ REPORT
This year, Community Service at Pymble gave students, staff and families the opportunity to be of service to the local and wider community. Despite the lockdown disruptions, our Pymble community engaged in a range of initiatives which showcased the importance and fulfilment which comes from giving back.
Whole School Charity: The McGrath Foundation
The McGrath Foundation was announced as Pymble’s whole school charity for 2021. Founded by Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath, the organisation is dedicated to providing invaluable support to women experiencing breast cancer. Many activities were held to support the McGrath Foundation, as well as adopting this year’s message to “Think Pink!”.
showcase of school spirit and community, as each year group rallied behind their own in an incredibly close and competitive game.
In 2021, we continued to fundraise to sponsor Vivian in Tanzania, and worked with the Upper School team to organise the Bobbin Head Cycle Classic.
Overall, it was a fantastic and successful year for Community Service. We cannot wait to see what the new prefects get up to next year.
Biggest Morning Tea
The College held its annual Biggest Morning Tea in May to raise funds for the fight against cancer. This year we held Pymble’s Pink Mother’s Day Morning Tea, in support of the McGrath Foundation, which saw the College gather in a sea of pink mufti for a morning to share with our mothers. An astounding $7,175 was raised, which went towards funding the employment of seven breast cancer nurses.
Knox versus Pymble Netball Game
As a partnership with Knox Grammar School, our Year 12 girls competed against Knox in an exciting netball game, where all proceeds from the gold coin donation entry went towards the McGrath Foundation. All players from both teams wore high pink socks in support of the McGrath ‘Pull on Your Socks’ event. It was a remarkable
Sustainability
ENVIRONMENT CAPTAINS’ REPORT
Our goal as the 2021 Environment Captains was to reduce waste. Throughout the year we implemented environmental initiatives for our school community as a chance to take action and reduce waste.
Keep Cups
As Australians use 2.7 million disposable coffee cups a day and nearly 1 billion a year, we decided to bring back the Keep Cups for the canteen, as coffee cups are single use and lined with plastic which makes them non-recyclable and therefore destined for landfill. Keep Cups are an amazing solution to both environmental issues surrounding the excessive usage of non-recyclable items and waste entering our environment. We also worked closely with executive staff to remove the sale of single use plastic water bottles at all school canteens.
RITE Website
We decided to create the RITE website as a result of Australia sending 85 per cent of the textiles we buy to landfills each year. This website allowed girls to upload clothing items to sell, with girls being able to buy the items on offer. This secondhand clothing store helped to reduce the amount of textiles waste being sent to landfills.
Afternoon Tea
In Term 4 2020 we hosted an afternoon tea with environmental student representatives from Ravenswood School for Girls, Abbotsleigh School, Barker College, Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview, Knox Grammar School, Saint Aloysius’ College, Loreto Normanhurst and Roseville College. We spent the afternoon having conversations about the importance of reducing waste and brainstorming ideas for our schools and how we could collaborate on them. We discussed a range of initiatives with the highlights being school composting, solar panels and potential partnerships with companies such as Sydney Water to reduce our water wastage. This acted as a starting point to the strategies we developed over the holiday break and allowed us to form connections that we drew on throughout the year.
...we implemented environmental initiatives for our school community as a chance to take action and reduce waste.Back Row: Georgia Stuart, Year 10, Isharah Hewavitharana, Year 11, Rose Tate, Year 12, Tess Rickard, Year 12, Imogen Hawkins, Year 9, Sabrina Cooke, Year 8, Rebecca Zhao, Year 8, Emily Abadee, Year 8, Amarley Bron, Year 10, Elise Djerrkura, Year 10, Phoebe Paleologos, Year 8 Front Row: Ella van Horen, Year 8, Freya Carmody, Year 10, Kyana Cvetkovic, Year 11, Giselle Kawane, Year 9, Aspen Moore, Year 9, Jade Yang, Year 10, Senu Edirisinghe, Year 10 Sabrina Cooke and Ella van Horen, Year 8
Sustainability
School Strike for Climate
Later in the year, we were given the incredible opportunity to attend the School Strike for Climate with Reverend Bent with a number of girls from each year. This was an inspiring experience for us as we were blown away by the sheer number of people attending the rally. More than 10,000 people attended and each person shared our passion for the environment and sustainability. When we arrived, we gathered at Town Hall with the thousands of other students and listened to speeches from a wide range of inspiring people, including youth activists and an ex-coal miner who passionately advocated the need for renewable energy. All the speakers vehemently condemned the recent decision by the government to spend $600 million on a new gas plant in Kurri Kurri, instead proposing this money should be invested into developing reliable renewable energy sources for our future.
We then started the march through the city, shouting chants including, “System change not climate change” and “What do we want? Climate action. When do we want it? Now!” It was such a great experience to march with all these passionate people and see all the people in the buildings and cars stop what they were doing to watch us march. It really felt like we were doing something important and that our voices were being heard. We finished the march at St James Park and then gathered into groups to spell out our key message: ‘Fund Our Future, Not Gas’.
Tess Rickard and Rose Tate, Captains of the Environment
Intercultural Connections
INTERCULTURAL CONNECTIONS CAPTAINS’ REPORT
The Intercultural Connections Captains was a newly established role under the Social Intelligence pillar for the strategic direction of the College, ‘diversity as a path to unity’. We had to set a vision and create a direction for the role, which we did by creating a theme ‘Knowing People, Knowing Pymble’. We aimed to encompass this into all our activities and projects throughout the year.
Lunar New Year
At the beginning of the year we celebrated Lunar New Year, which was a first for Pymble. We had daily activities where girls from Kindergarten to Year 12 were involved in traditional activities. At the conclusion of the week, we had a dragon dance, which everyone found very enjoyable. Throughout the week we collected many videos and written stories from staff and students that discussed the importance and meaning behind Lunar New Year to them.
Literature Diversity Week
Later in the year, we organised a Literature Diversity Week where we provided opportunities for students and staff to enjoy storytelling from diverse backgrounds. It involved inviting a variety of guests to present their narratives through a range of storytelling forms such as dance, writing and poetry, plus public speakers and workshops. The aim of the festival was to bring the school community together to share unique stories and celebrate its cultural diversity with 60 cultures represented within the school.
Reconciliation Week
More recently we focused on Reconciliation Week, which reminded us not only of a sad part of our history, but of a call to be proactive and become part of the positive change in our country and in our world. We held a special assembly where we invited a guest speaker to share her past as an Indigenous woman and with the theme for the year being ‘More than a word, Reconciliation takes action’, we focused on action and moving forward. As a school community, we made a pledge to our Indigenous people during our Reconciliation Week assembly. We also sold yellow ribbons for a gold coin donation to raise funds to support the charity Children’s Ground. As well as this, an Indigenous round of sport was held with other local schools to celebrate Indigenous culture and the role sport has in bringing us together as a nation.
Claudia Vowels and Katherine Gibson, Captains of Intercultural ConnectionsSarah Hunter, Year 12, Isabella Sun, Yera 11 and Bo Burton, Year 12 Sophie Harris, Year 5, Alice Liu, Year 3, Charlotte Ma, Year 3 and Vivian Liu, Year 5 Katherine Gibson and Claudia Vowels, Year 12
Intercultural Connections
Lunar New Year marks the first moon of the lunisolar calendar. It is a time for new beginnings and family reunions. It is celebrated through cultural festivities, family gatherings and delicious feasts. In Term 1, we celebrated Lunar New Year – the year of the ox, at Pymble
In the Secondary School, many exciting activities were held, such as lantern making and Chinese lion dancing. The lanterns were displayed proudly on the Colonnade and showed the creativity of our girls. The lion dancing brought together our community and excited us with its amazing tricks and culturally relevant festivities. The talented lion dancers were accompanied by traditional musicians who lit up the atmosphere.
“The dragon did thrilling tricks such as when the two people inside would stand on top of each other. Then the amazing staff came out with delicious fortune cookies for everyone, of which we happily took one each,” said Cameron Stoodley and Zoe Rose, Year 8.
There were also a couple of dedicated Year 10 students who spent nearly two weeks perfecting a beautiful display of the Year of the Ox. Sasha Wong and Elina Wu, Year 10, volunteered their time to complete an intricate hand-painted typography on the glass of the Conde Library.
Meanwhile in the Preparatory School, the girls embraced Lunar New Year with great enthusiasm as they made paper lanterns, red envelopes and cherry blossoms.
Our celebrations began the term with roaring success, and we hope all Pymble families had a happy Lunar New Year!
Christiana Soo, Year 8
CHAPEL CAPTAINS’ REPORT
Chapel is a place where students are always encouraged to reflect upon and create their own understanding of spirituality. The Chapel is located in the heart of the grounds and in our hearts. This year, many Chapel services were held online, and with the guidance of our amazing chaplains, Reverend Lorenzo Rodriguez Torres and Reverend Punam Bent, we were able to reflect from home about being the compassion and care that the world needs right now.
Students were encouraged to uplift their friends through acts of kindness. We shared the things that we loved about our friends and thought about how we could show our love to them as well. This year really emphasised the need to stay connected and be thankful for the people who care for us.
“As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
– Colossians 3:12Uniting Church Leadership Workshops
The leadership workshop hosted by the Uniting Church was an amazing opportunity to centre student voice and learn from other Uniting Church students. We were able to discuss prevalent issues with fellow student leaders and create a dialogue for enacting change. The conversations surrounded the topics of consent, mental health and the environment – all of which were voted as the three most salient issues of our generation.
International Day of Peace
The United Nations International Day of Peace is recognised throughout the world on 21 September. The theme for 2021 was ‘Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world’. Throughout the year, with the help of Reverend Bent, students were more vocal than ever about Australia’s role in climate action, and even attended online conferences and rallies during the lockdown. It was amazing to see the compassion of the Pymble community.
Ignite
Ignite is Pymble’s fellowship group in the Secondary School. In a fun and supportive atmosphere, students can further explore and strengthen their Christian faith. Spirituality is a journey of self-discovery, and Ignite allows teachers and students to build a support network to help each other along the way.
LGBTQIA Club
LGBTQIA Club is a community that works together to support students and create a safe environment for any person. Students are welcome to share their experiences and openly discuss what matters to them.
Caitlyn Kim and Angelica Tan, Captains of ChapelIgnite
Ignite involves weekly gatherings in DK2 where we can chat about our lives and God. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet students from different years and catch up with each other by sharing what’s been happening in our lives each week. We discuss Bible verses and their significance and application in day-to-day situations at Pymble. It is always very encouraging to meet with each other at Ignite and grow in our faith together. Come join us at Wednesday lunchtimes! Weekly notices are put up on the Portal so you know when it’s on. We would love to see you there!
Emma Lau and Annelise Koh, Year 10
HouseREPORTS
House Co-ordinators
It was certainly a very busy year, with a large number of events unfortunately needing to be cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic. In light of this, the House team and members from all across the College approached House events with passion and a positive attitude which was truly inspiring. We would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Ms Attley and Mrs Skyba, the House Leaders, and all staff for their endless guidance and support and making the environment so welcoming for the girls.
To the 2021 House Captains, we are so proud of you! The resilience, dedication and limitless enthusiasm you displayed at every House event did not go unnoticed. You played a significant role in defining House spirit at Pymble. We had a lot of laughs, hiccups and made many memories! We couldn’t have asked for a better group of House Captains.
HOUSE CO-ORDINATORS’ REPORT
We had the wonderful role of co-ordinating the House team through the many events and carnivals across the year. This year we oversaw Kindergarten to Year 12 become integrated into the eight Houses system. It was a great opportunity to build relationships across the year levels at the College and really strengthen House spirit.
Alongside the House Captains and the much-loved House mascots, we organised and participated in the Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics Carnivals, as well as the Preparatory School Spirit Afternoons. These events were highly successful. We commend the girls on displaying such commitment and enthusiasm. We were also immensely fortunate to welcome the incoming Year 7 class to Pymble on Links Day and introduce them to the other girls in their House and establish connections for their Secondary School experience.
2021 saw the addition of vertical integration in House Time, whereby girls across the Secondary School met to collaborate on a number of service and House spirit projects. These gatherings contributed to Jacaranda Day celebrations, individual House charity initiatives and the designing of House mottos. The House team was also active participants and an attentive audience with their involvement in the Performing Arts Competition in Term 2 and the COVID-inspired Online Pet Competition in Term 3.
Big crowds were also drawn to the much-anticipated House sporting competitions of volleyball and Tug-of-War.
These events were great successes for the House team and brought a lot of joy and House pride to the College. We also met with the College archivist, Mrs O’Carroll, who explained the history behind each House and influenced the creative process for the House Captains to design a unique House emblem.
Claudia Braysich and Eloise Jones, House Co-ordinators
2021 was a very busy and exciting year for the House team!Claudia Braysich and Eloise Jones, Year 12 Jemima Burney, Alice Windybank and Lucy Miller, Year 10 Tiana Zarafetas and Emma Sullivan, Year 12
Bennett House
BENNETT HOUSE CAPTAINS’ REPORT
Swimming Carnival
The 2021 Swimming Carnival held at Pymble was one not to forget. On the first day, the Years 7, 8 and 9 girls were so outstanding that there was an almost empty stand during race time! The girls were amazing with their encouragement, support and help for one another on the day. Our relay girls even finished with a Bennett win, which is one we haven’t seen in a while! Go Bennett! On the next day, our Years 10, 11 and 12 girls competed in their carnival which was also held at Pymble. The girls’ support was incredible, with lots of help in creating posters, cheers and organising the stands to make the day unforgettable. Overall, Bennett achieved a mighty second place for the Pymble Secondary School Carnival, the highest we have placed in years! Go Bennett!
Athletics Carnival
Later in the year, the Athletics Carnival took place. The girls dressed up in the Bennett colours and represented our House proudly. In our last year, the Year 12 girls dressed up in astounding costumes, and Bennett won the best dressed award! At the end of the day, Bennett snagged the great position of second place, what an achievement!
Performing Arts Competition (PAC)
Another huge achievement for Bennett this year was winning the award for most PAC contestants of the competition. This contest utilises a range of Bennett talents, such as art, music, singing, dancing, poetry and drama, and showed the various strengths of the Bennett girls.
House Time
A new activity introduced in 2021 was House Time which involved the combining of all year groups from Years 7 to 12 into 14 different classes. In this time, the girls developed relationships with girls from different year groups through a range of activities such as the development of a House emblem, creating school bag ribbons for our House charity, Youth Off The Streets, or other fun group activities. All in all, this time was very successful in developing friendships, having fun and building teamwork.
Bennett House Motto Bennett sharks, we’ll leave our mark.
Bennett House
“Bennett House is like a second family to me, and I am so proud to be a part of it.”
– Isobel Gosper, Year 11Louisa Mitchell, Bennett House Captain Alexis Cameron, Bennett House Deputy Captain Alexis Cameron, Year 12, Mikalya Tsou, Year 9, Amelie Muir, Year 9, Sarah Baker, Year 9, Alexandra Hyett, Year 9, Amber Halliday, Year 9 and Louisa Mitchell, Year 12 Amelie Muir, Year 9, Aliya Yang, Year 9, Kate Toomey, Year 7, Siena Pascoe, Year 7, Teagan Ning, Year 7 and Simone Bennett, Year 7 Alice Dixon, Year 12 Tania Yam, Year 12
Goodlet House
GOODLET HOUSE CAPTAINS’ REPORT
2021 was another extremely successful year for Goodlet House. Goodlet won all three sporting carnivals and displayed amazing House spirit and participation in all activities.
House Event
We began in Term 4 2021 with the Goodlet Inter-house Volleyball Competition to encourage House spirit and friendly competition between the Houses. The Volleyball Competition went for two weeks during Wednesday lunchtimes, beginning with the Years 7 to 9 teams, followed by the older teams. Goodlet won both the Junior and Senior competitions. It was great to see both experienced and beginner players participating.
House Time
This year, to increase House spirit throughout the College, the introduction of House Time occurred fortnightly, with different year groups of Goodlet girls coming together to participate in various activities. Through vertical groups, Goodlet girls participated in a House emblem and motto competition, with the best becoming the official House motto and emblem. In the second activity, Goodlet girls made white and blue bag braids to wear on their school bags. House Time allowed for new connections between year groups and successfully encouraged and strengthened House spirit.
A highlight was definitely the House mascot dance-off poolside!Sonya Zlatanovic, Hannah Weber and Melanie Tan, Year 8 Alice Windybank, Year 10
Goodlet House
House Charity
The girls also learned about our 2021 House charity, The Starlight Children’s Foundation, through watching videos on what the charity is, and how it aims to increase happiness for ill children.
Carnivals
Goodlet successfully won the Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics Carnivals and defended all three titles from 2020. In the Swimming Carnival, each girl participated in a range of 50 metre strokes and showed great encouragement in the freestyle and medley relays. A highlight was definitely the House mascot dance-off poolside! In the Athletics Carnival, each girl competed in the 100 metres race, shot put and discus, and cheered on the House relay.
Thanks
Finally, a massive thank you to all of the Goodlet girls and staff who participated so actively in all of the initiatives and activities that occurred throughout the year. A big thank you must go to Mr Fathers, the Goodlet House Co-ordinator. Additionally, thank you to Ms Attley, House Co-ordinator, who helped ensure all House activities ran smoothly.
The year was a success because of the girls’ dedication, House spirit and participation. Sophie Chamberlain, Goodlet House Captain Georgina Seymour, Goodlet House Deputy Captain
Goodlet House Motto You may be strong, but we are stronger.Elizabeth Yates, Year 7 Arabella Cox, Year 9 Amalia Bond, Year 5 Sienna Bond, Year 11 Georgia Degotardi, Year 12, Lucy Miller, Year 10, Tilly Morgan, Year 10, Jessica Colbran, Year 10, Claire Oslington, Year 10 and Alice Windybank, Year 10
Hammond House
Swimming Carnival
In Term 1, we dived right into the Swimming Carnival, where Hammond met for the first time as a House. At the Swimming Carnival, our girls had a fantastic ‘have a go’ attitude that was evident through their astonishingly high levels of participation. On top of this, we had so much fun as a House cheering on our fellow orange swimming caps in the water and our tiger in the mascot dance-off challenge, who won!
House Time
HAMMOND HOUSE CAPTAINS’ REPORT
Hammond House is known for our beautiful comradeship as well as our loud and proud team spirit, and that is what we saw from the girls this year. After limited chances to meet as a House in 2020 due to the restrictions of COVID-19, our girls were bubbling with energy, cheer and a sense of togetherness as they put 100 per cent into all our House activities in 2021.
It was also very exciting to have Hammond’s membership and vibrant orange shirts extended to the Junior and Preparatory Schools. This initiative enabled Hammond House to foster a greater sense of community and connect with younger girls through visits from the House mascot as well as picnic lunches that combined Preparatory School girls, Junior School House Captains, and our Senior School House Captains.
In Term 2, House Time was a significant initiative that all Houses focused on to increase the girls’ connection to their House. House Time saw the meeting of Hammond girls in mixed groups of Years 7 to 12. In their time together, the girls enjoyed the opportunity to develop vertical friendships through get to know each other games and fostered House spirit in team building activities. As well as this, there were specific sessions dedicated to contributing to charity, with ours being Jeans for Genes. The girls learned about the real-life stories of children undergoing genetic treatment and applied themselves in a gracious and considerate way by painting cards to raise awareness.
Hammond House
Athletics Carnival
Later in Term 2, the Athletics Carnival took place, and after some time building team spirit, Hammond girls grouped together stronger than ever under our bright orange tent decorated with banners, streamers and balloons. Again, we saw fantastic levels of participation and great effort, particularly in the House relay, which demonstrated massive improvements from previous years.
House Emblem and Motto
Additionally, this year Hammond girls were included in the design and development of a House emblem and motto, which will carry the legacy of our House in years to come. Here, girls had the amazing opportunity to submit drawings and brainstorm ideas and then, as a House, to vote and refine the remaining options. These ideas were paired with elements of Hammond’s history such as our connection to Dame Joan Hammond to craft the final House emblem and motto.
Megan Buson, Hammond House Captain Shreya Rutnam, Hammond House Deputy Captain
Hammond House Motto
We are loud and we are proud.
Ingleholme House
House Events
In Term 1, Ingleholme held our first House event – the Inter-house Tug-of-War Competition. At lunchtime, we all gathered on Gloucester Lawn, where each House had organised a team of eight girls. Through this event we were also fortunate to connect with the Junior School girls, with one student from Year 5 and another from Year 6 joining their House teams. Overall, the atmosphere was very intense for our competitive Pymble girls. In the end it was Lang House who tugged their way to victory.
INGLEHOLME HOUSE CAPTAINS’ REPORT
Sports Carnivals
The annual Pymble Swimming and Athletics Carnivals were again a very special highlight of the year. Throughout both carnivals the Ingleholme girls displayed amazing sportsmanship and teamwork, as well as stamina, dedication and determination.
Held over two days, the 2021 Swimming Carnival was a huge success for Ingleholme. The levels of participation, encouragement and perseverance were something that all of the girls should be very proud of. As was clearly reflected in the smiles throughout the day, this hard work also paid off on the scoreboard, achieving fourth place overall.
This year’s Athletics Carnival was hosted at Pymble, and again the Ingleholme girls did a fantastic job; decked out in green attire, cheering, supporting and shining in numerous events. Whether it was the mandatory 100 metres race and shot put, the long jump, high jump, or long distance events, the girls put in 100 per cent and enjoyed every moment. In the end, we placed third in the House relay, and fifth overall with 478 points.
House Charity
In Term 2, Ingleholme held the annual Bake-AWish bake sale to raise money for our charity, the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Make-A-Wish Foundation supports critically ill children by granting inspirational and life-changing wishes to create memories and have a positive impact on their lives. Girls showed off their incredible baking skills, with volunteers from Years 7 to 12 baking all kinds of delicious goods. Overall, the day was a complete success and we managed to raise more than $1,100. Thank you to the girls who baked for the charity, as well as those who helped sell the baked goods on the day.
Ingleholme House
Thank You
As the Ingleholme House Captains, we want to thank all the students, staff, parents and everyone else who helped to make this year so incredible. Although there were many challenges, we continued to see dedication, enthusiasm and support from the Ingleholme girls throughout 2021. We would like to extend this thank you to our Ingleholme House Co-ordinator, Miss Gardiner. Her work behind the scenes, continual support and guidance in all our activities, helped lead one of the most exciting and memorable years for us all. Finally, a massive thank you to Ms Attley, the Co-ordinator of Houses, whose passion and commitment created a positive and enriching experience for every girl this year.
Lauren Geddes, Ingleholme House Captain Danielle Rusman, Ingleholme House Deputy Captain
Ingleholme House Motto We will soar, hear us roar.
Lang House
LANG HOUSE CAPTAINS’ REPORT
Lang House is known for taking on the Performing Arts challenge and excelling in all House activities while delivering undeniable House spirit each year. Although the House often misses out on gold medals, Lang never fails to come together with phenomenal team spirit and cheer.
Charity
This year we were very excited to be leading Lang into a new chapter and meaning at Pymble as we turned our focus to giving back to the community. With this in mind, Lang took part in many activities. We began meeting each term in small groups, with two girls from each year. In these groups, girls would give back by writing letters to the Turramurra Nursing Home, generating new House mottos and making bracelets for our charity, the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter.
Tug-of-War
We were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm Lang showed through another tough year as they took each challenge in their stride. We were very proud of the girls for giving everything a go and even coming away with a few wins. The Tug-of-War competition was a perfect example of this. Held in Term 1, Lang was in it to win it by dominating each event and securing the win overall.
Lang House
Swimming Carnival
The 2021 Swimming Carnival was a great success for Lang House. The team came to a gliding finish winning both the medley and freestyle relays which saw us come away with an outstanding result of fifth place overall.
Although COVID-19 prevented our cheers from roaring throughout the pool, it didn’t stop Lang from having great spirit and encouraging one another. The carnival was a great opportunity for us to introduce the fearless leader of our gang, CC the Polar Bear mascot, who made several surprise visits to House events throughout the year.
Athletics Carnival
The Athletics Carnival is always an outstanding day for Lang House with girls from all year groups coming together to show off their running skills and gain House points. This year the carnival was even better as it was hosted on home soil, with the return of the carnival to the Main Oval. We were thrilled to see the girls giving each event their best from sprinting down our front straight track to running laps, jumping to new heights, and throwing great distances. Lang’s incredible spirit saw us come away with fourth place overall, another great result!
Overall
Lang, your hard work and persistence really shone through. Each girl embraced the spirit of The Lang Gang, especially our amazing Year 12 girls who showed off their innovative costumes. CC the Polar Bear also carried the team by participating in the mascot race and several dance competitions throughout the year.
Our amazing accomplishments throughout 2021 wouldn’t have been possible without you, girls, and we are so excited to see you continuing to keep up the spirit Lang is known for.
Courage. Perseverance. Dedication.
Marden House
Sports Carnivals
The sports carnivals were among the many successes for Marden House this year. We kicked off the competitions with the Swimming Carnival at the beginning of Term 1. Each House participated in the mascot dance-off and, with some great moves and encouragement from the crowd, the Marden dragon snatched first place in the Years 7 to 9 carnival!
Following on from this in Term 1 we had the Cross Country Carnival. There were many excited and determined Marden participants who finished with red faces to match their House shirts!
MARDEN HOUSE CAPTAINS’ REPORT
Links Day
We began the introduction to Marden House by welcoming our new Year 7 girls on Links Day. This was a fun and exciting opportunity for the girls coming from the Junior School and our new girls arriving at Pymble to mingle through various House activities. Not only did we introduce our new Year 7 girls, but we also introduced girls from Kindergarten to Year 6 to our House. We welcomed these girls with a mascot dance to High School Musical favourite We are all in this together. Mr Heggie pulled out some moves as the dragon mascot which got the Junior girls into the House spirit.
The Athletics Carnival, held on the Main Oval, provided yet another opportunity for Marden girls to showcase their strength, spirit and skills. The Marden athletes displayed an impressive array of skills as they ran, jumped and threw throughout the day and managed to secure Marden second place overall! However, what was most impressive was the spirit, support and passion each Marden girl had for her House.
The Marden athletes displayed an impressive array of skills as they ran, jumped and threw throughout the day
Marden House
House Time and Charity
The first House Time was held in the middle of Term 1. This was very successful as the girls actively engaged in activities through vertical groups.
The girls absolutely loved the Marden House emblem and motto competition with a range of diverse and creative ideas given to us showing off Marden’s fiery spirit to win.
For the next House Time we decided to focus on charity. Our chosen charity, Little Wings, is a not-forprofit organisation providing free professional and safe flight and transport services for sick children in rural and regional NSW. Our aim for this House Time was to create paper crane chains with supporting and encouraging messages on them to support these children. We then planned to support Little Wings further through our House charity event, however, due to COVID-19 and the lockdown, we were unable to run this event.
Jessica Tyson, Marden House Captain Ella Koster, Marden House Deputy Captain
Ignite the fire within.
Thomas House
THOMAS HOUSE CAPTAINS’ REPORT
2021 was an incredible year for Thomas as we navigated the new experiences and challenges that came from remodelling the House system at Pymble Ladies’ College. The integration of Kindergarten to Year 12 meant that every student found a way to demonstrate their House spirit at a variety of sporting, artistic and charity events.
Swimming Carnival
The Secondary School Swimming Carnival in Term 1 was an excellent display of Thomas spirit. The carnival saw girls from Years 7 to 12 participating in a range of events both socially and competitively. They were supported by the energetic cheers from the decorated Thomas stands. Our mighty team rose to the challenge in the House relay, coming in a monumental first place! To finish off the carnival with bang, Thomas dominated the House mascot dance battle!
Athletics Carnival
In Term 2, the highly anticipated Secondary School Athletics Carnival took place, with Thomas girls uniting in House spirit. The girls were encouraged to adopt a ‘have a go’ attitude which saw participation skyrocket with achievements on both the track and field.
Cross Country
This year, Thomas girls demonstrated their stamina, perseverance and House spirit while participating in the annual Cross Country event. Thomas participation created a sea of purple across the school as girls ran, walked or danced their way through the course.
Bandanna Day
In Term 4 2020, Thomas hosted our annual National Bandanna Day fundraiser in support of our House charity, Canteen. Canteen is an organisation that provides practical and emotional support for young people affected by cancer. On this day, Thomas girls sold Bandannas and Zooper Doopers and raised the highest amount of funds for Canteen that Pymble has ever seen – a record $1,744!
House Time
For the first time in House history, Thomas girls from Years 7 to 12 took part in vertical House Time where they made connections across the school and collaborated on a variety of activities including creating origami hearts for Canteen support rooms.
Thomas House
Preparatory and Junior Schools
The introduction of Kindergarten to Year 12 House groups provided us with the opportunity to work with the students from the Preparatory and Junior Schools. It was encouraging to see the younger girls’ passion for their House.
Thank You
We were lucky to work with two House Leaders this year, who both brought support, enthusiasm and expertise to their roles. A special thank you to Mr Stewart and Mrs Wawryka for their endless commitment to Thomas House.
Thank you to all of the Thomas girls for their spirit and hard work throughout the year, particularly the Year 12 girls for their exemplary leadership. All the best for the future of Thomas House!
We are small, but we are mighty! Ilani Roder, Thomas House Captain Mia De Riz, Thomas House Deputy Captain
Thomas House Motto
One House, one team, one spirit.
Wylie House
WYLIE HOUSE CAPTAINS’ REPORT
2021 was a year full of spirit and teamwork across all the Houses. The Wylie girls’ sportsmanship and participation made for a remarkable year that demonstrated their unmatched talent and enthusiasm.
Swimming Carnival
The annual Swimming Carnival was spread over two days, with the Wylie girls demonstrating tough competition and engagement. In the pool, the girls swam excellently and achieved many ribbons while they had fun and enjoyed themselves. The girls racked up a total point score of 770 points which would not have been possible without the amazing contributions from all of Wylie.
Athletics Carnival
The Athletics Carnival was an incredible opportunity for the Wylie girls to showcase their talents and spirit with all the girls participating in track and field events.
The girls who ran, walked and danced through the course allowed for a day of fun. Sadly, we did not leave with a podium finish, but the number of girls trying new events and participating was impressive to see.
House Charity
For 2021, Wylie focused on supporting the charity R U OK? This charity works to encourage conversations and connections with those struggling through difficult times in their lives.
House Time
Wylie House participated in multiple House Time sessions catering to our House charity R U O K ? in 2021.Jessica Davidson and Siobhan Dubois, Year 12
Wylie House
Our Term 1, House Time was centred on House unity and the creation of a legacy that will continue throughout the years. Girls from Years 7 to 12 were placed in vertical House groups where they collaborated and worked together to create a House emblem and motto. We loved seeing the girls’ artistic sides as they experimented with symbols of wolves and the colour yellow.
During our Term 2 House Time, we created friendship bracelets. It was awesome to see the girls incorporate the R U OK? values of care and support for one another with the friendship bracelets helping serve as a reminder.
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Term 3, we were unable to join again for House Time. However, we were so grateful that it was a great success in the previous terms and that the girls embraced the connections they made.
Leading the pack (right on track).Stephanie Feng, Year 8, Sophia Qu, Year 8, Rae Liu, Year 8, Rebecca Zhao, Year 8, Felicity He, Year 9 and Sabrina Rolinek, Year 9 Madeline Potts, Year 8 Charlotte Tidemann, Year 7 Jessica Davidson and Siobhan Dubois, Year 12
Pymlympics
PYMLYMPICS
During lockdown, we were excited when the new initiative the Pymlympics was announced. During a time where everyone needed cheering up, this initiative focused on improving the wellbeing of students as well as being fun and spreading House spirit.
In the beginning, different challenges were released involving helping others, being creative, baking, exercising, and more, such as Sending Love, Iso-Bake and Closet Cleanout. Each challenge was allocated a different number of House points to be awarded per individual completion depending on difficulty. Students could pick whichever activity interested them the most and if they completed 12 or more challenges, they would be put into the draw for the MVPs to win gift cards and prizes.
Lockdown was tiring and many of us felt as if we weren’t doing enough. The Pymlympics helped me to be more active and try new things, and I enjoyed completing the activities and occasionally collaborating with my sister. Having goals to work towards in lockdown helped me feel like I was using my time well and it was great to see all of the projects others had worked on in the closing ceremony.
Madeleine Watson, Year 8The Pymlympics was a great opportunity for girls to get up and about during lockdown. It gave us little goals to achieve and work towards. The Pymlympics helped heaps of girls get moving while they were online. While we weren’t able to see our friends all the time, activities like Virtual Lunch and Go For a Walk meant we could meet up virtually or go for a COVID-safe walk in our neighbourhood. With 28 activities for the girls to try, there was something for everyone. This helped to bring little moments of joy into our lives, when sometimes we just weren’t feeling the best. Every House wanted to win and they all did amazingly. Well done to Hammond who came out on top!
For me, the Pymlympics motivated me to exercise and do heaps of cooking and baking. Every day I tried to make a new recipe for me or my parents. They loved having me make their snacks and not needing to get anything ready for lunch or dinner. I challenged myself to go for a walk every day. Whether it was a long walk after school or a quick walk in my free period, it was a great chance for me and my mum to catch up on each other’s days and even learn something new about each other.
Isabella Attard, Year 7With 28 activities for the girls to try, there was something for everyone.
C0-curricular
MUSIC CAPTAINS’ REPORT
In 2021, Music at Pymble came back with a bang with the live return of many of our favourite events as well as new opportunities inspired by the 2020 lockdown period. Despite the range of restrictions placed upon Music, the Pymble musicians had a year of success and celebration, both individually and in our many ensembles.
Christmas 2020
Last year saw the launch of our first lunchtime Christmas festival, with performances all through the week by our Pymble ensembles for a year’s worth of music across five lunchtimes. The event was a combined effort across a number of fields, raising funds for the McGrath Foundation.
The Stage Band and Jazz Band delivered swinging Christmas tunes on the Music Colonnade, and the Pymble Chorale girls had fun carolling throughout the school.
The Rock Bands also gave us a taste of the performances we missed in our year of Music lockdown. Even the Junior School got involved with a performance by the Junior Jazz Band!
Ensemble Concerts
After 17 months on pause, Pymble ensemble concerts returned in Term 1. Our Term 1 ensemble concert was our first held outdoors, and certainly lived up to the title ‘Let’s Get Loud’. Featuring captivating performances from all of our ensembles, students played for an outdoor audience of more than 300 in an exciting return to performances at Pymble
In our Term 2 ensemble concert, ‘Thank You for the Music’, we said farewell to our Year 12 musicians and thanked them for their years of dedication and passion for music at Pymble
The Dame Joan Hammond Memorial Scholars Recital also returned as a live performance featuring some of the College’s most talented pianists.
Pymble Open Mic
This year saw the launch of Pymble Open Mic, an informal opportunity for students to perform at lunchtimes. To encourage more people to get involved in music and try new opportunities, we launched this event for students to give performing a go without judgement or competition. Our first Open Mic was met with resounding success, with ten students delivering seven amazing performances!
Eisteddfods and Competitions
A number of Pymble ensembles participated in and received outstanding results at the City of Sydney Eisteddfod. Considering the video submission and online adjudication format of this year’s entries, this was an eisteddfod unlike any other and we were incredibly proud of our Junior and Senior ensembles that participated.
In addition, a special congratulations must go to violinist Alana Gao, Year 9, who made the finals of the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra Concerto Competition.
Events in Lockdown
As we entered the second lockdown period over Term 3, Pymble Music thrived online with a number of guest speakers and special events, such as hearing from Dr Anita Collins and Francine Bell while our choirs benefitted from the choral wisdom of Naomi Crellin (The Idea of North) and our string ensembles from Dr Mark Laycock.
Despite the range of restrictions placed upon Music, the Pymble Musicians had a year of success
usic
Bands
BANDS CAPTAIN’S REPORT
In 2021 the Pymble Band program continued to excel through lockdowns and on campus, bringing phenomenal music with renewed vigour and dedication and showcasing resilience and perseverance. The bands were an integral part of all aspects of College life this year, and the girls worked exceptionally hard to bring joy to the students, staff and parents.
Term 1
In Term 1, the girls worked towards their first ensemble concert since lockdown. The hard work of all the girls bore fruit at a beautiful outdoor concert on Gloucester Lawn. Lit with twinkling fairy lights and uplifting numbers such as the Mamma Mia Medley and Let’s Get Loud, the College community enjoyed a magical evening.
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble also played at the first in-person whole school assembly. The band accompanied the fan favourite, Shine Jesus Shine, and the College sang together for the first time in a year, resulting in a magical and uplifting moment of school spirit.
In celebration of International Women’s Week, the Senior Stage Band performed an exciting and spectacular program at the International Women’s Day lunch. Most notably the girls had the opportunity to collaborate with New York based professional jazz singer Briana Cowlishaw (2006).
Furthermore, the Junior School girls attended the highly anticipated school Band Camp. Over the weekend, they worked hard at multiple rehearsals and were rewarded with a delicious pizza dinner and movie night.
Term 2
To commemorate the College’s everlasting gratitude for our service men and women, the Middle School Concert Band performed at the annual Anzac Day service. Against the elements on the Butterfly Mosaic, the girls played brilliantly and fittingly for the event. Estelle Vander, Year 9, played The Last Post
To wrap up the term, all the bands were able to perform in our beautiful Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts (GMCPA) at the ensemble concert. The last time the girls had performed in the GMCPA was November 2019.
The Year 12 girls were bid farewell with all the best wishes for the future.
Term 3
Although thrust back into lockdown in Term 3, the bands continued to stay enthusiastic and active over Microsoft Teams. The girls were treated to breakfast with inspirational speakers Francine Bell and Dr Anita Collins, in which they gained valuable advice and insights into the benefits of music. In addition, as a celebration of female empowerment and ability, the bands’ repertoire was selected exclusively from female composers.
Overall, the bands persevered through many adversities this year and contributed to numerous momentous events. With the continued support and passion of Mr Stafford, Head of Bands, Mr Schweinberger, Head of Co-curricular Music, and Mrs Turner, Director of Co-curricular Performing Arts, and the Music Department, 2021 was an extremely successful year.
“I love the friendships I make with girls in different years in the Band program and the sense of community that carries through other parts of school life.” – Freya Carmody, Year 10
Isabelle Ho, Captain of Bands
BANDS AWARDS
Silver
Katherine Gibson, Pragya Mehta, Tara Narayan Blue
Freya Carmody, Annabella Cheng, Elliot Dunk, Grace Fritz, Lux Fritz, Jasmin Gibson, Isabelle Ho, Cindy Hu, Annabel Johns, Ray Jones, Serena Kao, Caitlyn Kim, Piper Markson, Aine Oo, Ashleigh O’Young, Jessie Qin, Jessica Tse, Estelle Vander, Rhedyn Wong, Angela Ye
Red
Zoe Allen, Zara Benson, Samantha Beverley, Isabella Cepraga, Claudia Chan, Faye Chang, Sophia Chen, Miki Culver, Emma Duggan, Isabel Fisher, Lauren Gibson, Josephine Green, Olivia Harvey, Sophie Hoffman, Bomy Kim, Claire Kim, Bronte Lamb, Claire Oslington, Linh Pham, Rachel Rao, Lauren Solness, Ophelia Speed, Mikayla Tsou, Grace Walmsley, Anna Ward
White Service
Choirs
CHOIRS CAPTAIN’S REPORT
Pymble was no match against the challenges 2021 posed, and our Choir girls were no exception. They powered through the year showcasing some incredible performances and achievements, and maintained enthusiasm throughout many unforeseen challenges.
Term 1
Term 1 was a bustling term, full of action. From the Pymble Chorale performing What Happens When a Woman Takes Power? by Alexandra Olsavsky at the International Women’s Day Assembly, to our jam-packed Term 1 ensemble concert, ‘Let’s Get Loud’. The School Choir performed two songs, Opening Up from the musical Waitress and Ngarra Burra Ferra, a traditional Indigenous song.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the girls had to manage outdoor rehearsals with cars, buses and sport trainings, making it very difficult to hear any music, let alone themselves!
Term 2
Term 2 saw the farewell of our Year 12 choristers, as we dedicated the ensemble concert, ‘Thank You for the Music’, to celebrating their achievements at the College. We finished the night singing the iconic ABBA song Thank You for the Music followed by speeches and cake!
The School Choir also performed at the NAIDOC Week celebration, once again performing Ngarra Burra Ferra
The Pymble Chorale entered the City of Sydney Eisteddfod under the Youth Choir for Female Voices category. Although the Eisteddfod could not go ahead in person, all performances were recorded and submitted virtually. After much anticipation, the girls did exceptionally well, placing second overall!
Term 3
Although we could not gather and sing in Term 3, we still had online rehearsals each week, as well as many guest speakers throughout the term. From the wonderfully enthusiastic Francine Bell, incredibly talented Naomi Crellin and insightful Guy Noble, the girls had a wide range of extremely brilliant and supportive artists over the term. The year ended with a virtual audio recording project of the Beatles classic, All You Need is Love
Overall, 2021, despite its challenges, was very successful and I am excited to see the endless possibilities of 2022.
Annika Johnson, Captain of Choirs
CHOIRS AWARDS
Silver
Hannah Grogan, Annika Johnson, Clare Macpherson, Tara Narayan
Blue
Lara Albany, Charlotte Allen, Freya Carmody, Isabel Dean, Amelia Fantham, Odessa Girdis, Emily Ji, Georgina Makeham, Piper Markson, Amelie Matthews, Priya Mehra, Pragya Mehta, Zoe Moss, Claire Oslington, Angela Ye
Red
Tiffany Bae, Abigail Ballhausen, Lauren Barnes, Lucy Bell, Louise Bennett, Samantha Beverley, Sarah Boland, Victoria Burton, Isabella Chen, Alison Cook, Phoebe Cooper, Senu Edirisinghe, Esther Essey, Billie Fisher, Grace Fritz, Lux Fritz, Emma Geng, Elizabeth Graves, Genevieve Hartin, Iris Hastings, Louise Kim, Frankie Lobban, Eloise Makeham, Annabel Maple-Brown, Charlise Moodie, Amelie Muir, Zarina Nurlanov, Phoebe Paleologos, Jacqueline Qin, Madeleine Raymond, Sophie Smith, Elizabeth Tang, Isabella Watson, Madeleine Watson, Kelly Wong, Sasha Wong
White Service
Alison Cook, Amy Jarvis
Orchestras
since 2020. The String Orchestra combined forces with the Choir and Chorale to produce Kayama, a moving piece with soloists from Year 12. Many thanks to Mr Schweinberger who orchestrated this event and conducted the ensemble. Alongside preparing and playing Flying by Matt Riley, the Senior School Chamber Strings entered the Sydney Eisteddfod with the pieces Solar Flares by Alicia Grant, and Pange Lingua by Marc Isaacs. Thanks to Mrs Colbey’s dedication and passion, and all the students’ hard work, the Chamber Strings placed first in the Secondary Premium String Ensemble category!
Term 3
ORCHESTRAS
CAPTAIN’S REPORT
2021 was a year filled with surprises and new experiences that taught the members of Pymble’s Orchestras to maintain resilience, passion and teamwork.
Term 1
Coming out of COVID-19 restrictions in Term 1, we no longer rehearsed online, and the ensemble concert was a huge success. All were excited to be able to participate in the first concert since Term 1 2020 in a unique, innovative way. Hosted outdoors, the event was lively and joyous, with pieces like an ABBA medley, Wake Me Up, and more performed. The Senior Orchestra played Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, conducted by Ms Buckley and featuring soloists Alana Gao, Year 9, Gabrielle Zhong, Year 10, and Isabel Dean, Year 11. Both Alana and Gabby featured in Vivaldi’s Summer, conducted by Mrs Crawford. In the Junior School, the Year 3 Strings joined the Band Camp weekend in workshops to improve and nurture their love of music, teaming up with Mrs Steele and Mr Parry to encourage, mentor and bring strength in sound to some of the sections.
Term 2
As COVID-19 restrictions decreased, the orchestras were able to play in the first indoor ensemble concert in a year! The Symphony Orchestra very successfully performed Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 From the New World, which had been in the works
Moving into Term 3, the students and conductors faced lockdown again and transitioned to online learning and rehearsals. Although both staff and students missed physical rehearsals, the staff took this opportunity to provide a large range of guest webinars and presentations. We were lucky to hear from Dr Mark Laycock, Julliard student Isabella Bignasca (2016), Dr Anita Collins and Betty Beath, the composer of Woman’s Song that the Chamber String Orchestra was preparing for their next performance! Throughout these webinars, we learned what the music industry is like overseas, what it means to venture into classical music professionally, and the importance of hard work and collaboration. Although in-person rehearsals were missed, the teachers were able to provide a truly valuable experience for the girls.
Thank You
The Pymble Orchestras achieved great successes over 2021 with all students working hard to play and be their best as musicians. A massive thank you is owed to our amazing staff, including Mrs Turner, Mrs Colbey, Mrs Crawford, Ms Buckley and Mr Stafford, for their support, teaching and passion for each student and orchestra ensemble.
Isabel Dean, Captain of Orchestras
ORCHESTRAS AWARDS
Silver
Lara Albany, Isabel Dean, Alana Gao, Chloe Hoang, Priya Mehra, Christina Wu, Angel Yu, Gabrielle Zhong
Blue
Freya Carmody, Esther Choi, Kirsten Fong, Lux Fritz, Fiona Fu, Jasmin Gibson, Odessa Girdis, Cindy Hu, Christine Hur, Ray Jones, Caitlyn Kim, Jenhui Lau, Ella Liu, Piper Markson, Pragya Mehta, Zarina Nurlanov, Aine Oo, Ashleigh O’Young, Caitlyn Tan, Rhedyn Wong, Serena Xue, Angela Ye, Bella Zhang
Red
Natalie Barclay, Sophia Chen, Emma Cheng, Maya Garg, Emma Geng, Aileen Hao, Lucy Hu, Claire Kim, Emily Kim, Mia Kim, Annelise Koh, Ang-Ya Koo, Emma Lau, Annika Lee, Claire Lee, Iris Li, Vienna Li, Annie Wanrong Luo, Alice Mao, Helen Nguyen, Lily Still, Dasha Stusenko, Emily Tse, Grace Walmsley, Lisa Wang, Yuki Wang, Jacqueline Wo, Josephine Wong, Charlotte Wykes, Jessie Xie, Olivia Xu, Elena Zhang
White Service
Absent: Natalie Barclay, Ashley Dhanu, Alana Gao, Sophia Gao, Chloe Hoang, Mia Kim, Bella Zhang
Katherine Pan, Lily Still, Dasha Stusenko, Caitlyn Tan, Lisa Wang, Christina Wu, Charlotte Wykes, Olivia Xu, Serena Xue, Angel Yu, Gabrielle Zhong, Mrs Narelle Colbey (Head of Strings)
Lara Albany, Sophia Chen, Esther Choi, Isabel Dean, Kirsten Fong, Maya Garg, Christine Hur, Emily Kim, Jenhui Lau, Annika Lee, Claire Lee, Iris Li, Vienna Li, Ella Liu, Annie Wanrong Luo, Alice Mao, Amy Mao, Priya Mehra, Helen Nguyen, Zarina Nurlanov,
ORCHESTRAPYMBLE CHORALE
STAGE BAND
STRING
Ensemble Concerts
ENSEMBLE CONCERTS
Let’s Get Loud
The first Secondary School Ensemble Concert, ‘Let’s Get Loud’, of 2021 took place on 30 March in front of the Chapel. Not only was this concert the first performance of the year, but it was also a new experience for the Year 7 girls who had just joined the Secondary School ensembles.
The Senior String Orchestra played Wake Me Up by pop artist Avicii. This was an upbeat song to start the concert and was a fusion between classical and pop. Then the Chamber String Orchestra performed Flying, a song that was smooth and legato that contrasted to the energetic song performed by the Senior Strings.
There was a huge bustle of clapping in the audience which gave the performers an extra boost of energy when playing their piece. The concert was finished with the song Let’s Get Loud which was performed by Tara Narayan, Year 12, and the Secondary School Band. The audience waved their phones and the Pymble colours of blue, white and red flashed from the outlining trees.
Thank You for the Music
After 18 months without indoor music concerts and performances, the Secondary School Ensemble Concert, ‘Thank You for the Music’, was held on Wednesday 16 June in the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts (GMCPA). Not only did the ensemble concert showcase the extraordinary musical talent of more than 300 Pymble students, it was also an opportunity for the students and staff to farewell the Year 12 musicians of 2021. It was a wonderful night of musical entertainment and excellence.
The School Choir opened with Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ’Round, conducted by Mr Schweinberger. The next piece to follow was What Happens When a Woman Takes Power?, conducted by Mrs Turner.
To finish the night, an impromptu Thank You for the Music sing-along erupted with help from the enthusiastic and engaged audience. An exemplar moment that restated the unity within the Pymble community – and a final ‘hooray’ to commemorate the commitment and hard work of the Year 12 students and the Music Department.
Angela Ye, Year 10, Emily Kim, Year 7 and Frankie Lobban, Year 11
The concert opened with a performance from the Symphony Orchestra of Symphony No. 9 From the New World by Dvořák.
The crowd rippled with applause as the Symphonic Wind Ensemble went on stage. They began with The Chorale Shaker Dance by John Zdechlik, and the audience was entranced throughout the entire piece. Then the band played Swingin’ Matilda, which was a swing version of the classic Australian Folk song, Waltzing Matilda. The piece was fun, and the audience thoroughly enjoyed it. In the middle of the performance, soloists stood up and played solo sections, attracting a torrent of applause from the audience.
It was a wonderful night of musical entertainment and excellence.Lucy Bell, Claire Oslington and Freya Carmody, Year 10 Mr Kurt Schweinberger (Head of Co-curricular Music)
Performing Arts
Further standout moments appeared in our Dance program, where the girls dominated every eisteddfod they attended, with wins in most categories and overall victories. There was a very special dance opportunity this year which saw the girls perform in a concert titled ‘Ballet Without Borders’ with some of The Australian Ballet’s top principal dancers.
Finally, our Language Arts program marched through the year’s multitude of debating, mock law, public speaking and model United Nations competitions with pride. The girls demonstrated their eloquence, intellect and conviction, especially when juggling these competitions in their online versions throughout the year.
Performing Arts Competition (PAC)
PERFORMING ARTS CAPTAINS’ REPORT
It was a fantastic year for Performing Arts across all areas, with endless opportunities for performance, competition and general creative expression! The hope for 2021 was to encourage participation from students of all ages and skill levels to increase enthusiasm and participation.
Highlights
This year we had many opportunities for the girls to showcase their abilities with a multitude of musical and theatrical performances put on at the College. We had a fabulous rendition of A Midsummer Night’s Dream from our Years 7 to 9 Co-curricular Drama students and also a performance of the classic, The Importance of Being Earnest from Years 9 to 11. We also saw successes in the competitive areas of Co-curricular Drama where our girls soared to new heights at the Sydney Eisteddfod, Film festivals and Short and Sharp.
As always, the annual Performing Arts Competition (PAC) was a highlight in the school calendar. It was heart-warming to see both the passion of the performers and also the broader student body’s support for Performing Arts. Girls flooded the amphitheatre each lunchtime and all money raised was donated to the Australian Children’s Music Foundation. Competition was fierce with this year’s Best of PAC sporting some of the most extraordinary talent PAC has ever seen.
First place went to Amelie Matthews, Year 9, second place to Hip Hop 3, third place to Claire Oslington, Year 10, and the People’s Choice award to the Year 10 Singers. The PAC Art winners included Josephine Wong, Year 8, Phoebe Yi, Year 9, and Isabella Watson, Year 10.
The past two years have posed challenges to the pursuit of performing arts in all forms, with lockdowns and restrictions often inhibiting activities such as singing, the close contact of dance and drama and cross-school interaction of language arts. In spite of this, the girls made us proud with their flexibility, capacity to adapt and general positivity.
Amy Jarvis and Alyssa Vardy, Captains of Performing ArtsDance
CO-CURRICULAR DANCE CAPTAINS’ REPORT
Eisteddfod Season
2021 started off with a bang! The girls were craving to get back out there and perform on stage. There were no COVID-19 restrictions, and our Eisteddfod teams got the chance to compete for the first time in more than a year! Luckily this year our Eisteddfod groups had the privilege of competing at both the Extreme and DanceLife Eisteddfods. The girls did an amazing job with each group receiving a place. We also achieved first place in both the Jazz and Contemporary sections for both competitions.
Ballet Without Borders
This year we had the amazing opportunity to host ‘Ballet Without Borders’ in the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts (GMCPA) where we had four incredible artists from The Australian Ballet perform on our stage. As well as this, our Eisteddfod girls showcased their competition routines and had a Q&A with the dancers. This event raised more than $16,000 for Ballet Without Borders to contribute to providing ballet lessons to children who would not otherwise have the opportunity.
Dance Online and Showcase Online
This year the entire Dance program aimed to host a Showcase with the theme ‘Museum’ with all classes building routines based on different concepts such as specific artworks, tourists, or even the architecture of a museum.
However, the team learned from last year and was prepared to take on the challenge. Dance was lucky to continue with our classes taking place live online, so we were able to see our teachers and peers. A few times throughout the term we performed in front of other Dance classes, as well as staff, to show the amazing work of the girls. We also offered a variety of workshops for the girls and even had a guest speaker, Li Cunxin, the author of Mao’s Last Dancer virtually share his experience. Unfortunately, we were unable to have an in-person showcase this year and instead each dancer got the opportunity to film themselves doing their dance in full costume and make-up and submit it to the teachers. Our amazing staff picked up some impressive tech skills and will put a video together of the routines to share with the team!
Ballet
The Ballet girls easily overcame the challenges of online learning with their Ballet Leader, Lisa Ji, Year 9, leading the way. During lockdown many adapted their homes and turned them into ballet studios using chairs and mantle pieces as ballet barres. The girls also participated in a photo submission Arabesque competition where they posed in costume at home, which was then turned into an amazing slideshow for everyone to watch.
Many Ballet students attended workshops this year with many guest teachers.
As the year progressed the program needed to shift slightly and in Term 3, our homes became dance studios once again due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
Dance
CO-CURRICULAR DANCE CAPTAINS’ REPORT
Thank You
The amazing Pymble dancers are to be commended on their hard work and dedication throughout this challenging year and for showing their constant dedication to the team. We would also like to thank the staff for continuing to support the dancers through this difficult time, and for all the effort they put into choreographing and making online Dance a safe and enjoyable space. Finally, the whole team is so appreciative and grateful for Miss Buchner, Miss Hibburt, Miss Cluff, Mr Dellevergin and Mrs Turner for their ongoing support of Pymble Dance and for continuing to inspire the team.
The Co-curricular Dance program looks forward to 2022 where we will have the opportunity to have an Eisteddfod 2021 Showcase as well as resuming our face-to-face program.
We can’t wait to get back on stage and see all the amazing dancers perform and showcase their talents.
Dance
DANCE RESULTS, AWARDS AND PARTICIPANTS
Eisteddfod Contemporary White DanceLife Unite 1st
Extreme Eisteddfod 1st, Overall Judges Prize for Secondary Schools
Sydney Eisteddfod Video Submission 1st (2021 Team)
Sydney Eisteddfod Video Submission 1st (2020 Routine)
Awards
Year 11 Silver
Isabel Dean, Anika Perera, Jessica Tse Blue
Fiona Fu, Emilie Palme, Victoria Pattison, Haley Spring, Delta Zarafetas, Jasmine Zhi
Year 10 Blue
Amelia Barr, Georgia McDonagh, Shivani Senthil, Denise Wang
Year 9 Blue
Grace Perrignon, Georgia Shaw, Jessica Slater, Demitria Volos
Year 8 Blue Felicity Sheh
Eisteddfod Contemporary Scarlet DanceLife Unite 4th
Extreme Eisteddfod 3rd
Sydney Eisteddfod Video Submission Highly Commended
Awards
Year 11 Blue
Ella Gibietis Red
Olivia Barton, Antoinette Boxall, Amali Hilton, Rachel Johnstone
Year 10 Blue Bonita Xie
Red Martina Chin, Olivia Eichmann
Year 9
Blue
Lisa Ji, Gigi Spiller Red
Sarah Glenn, Piper Gregory-Reid, Stephanie Lee, Arabella Sherlock, Claire Spring
Year 8 Red
Anais Burnicle, Sophia Chang, Evie Gibson, Annie Wanrong Luo, Emily Rothery
Year 7
Red Stella Boyle, Eden Gerreyn, Teagan Ning, Clara Thiris
Eisteddfod Contemporary Navy DanceLife Unite 4th Extreme Eisteddfod N/A
Sydney Eisteddfod Video Submission Highly Commended Awards
Year 11 Red
Jasmine Pham, Chloe Tedesco
Year 10 Red
Ingrid Hastings, Ning Ning Jin, Emilia Ruscio
Year 9
Red Radha Apana, Meredith Reynolds
Year 8
Red
Sofia Adamovich, Sabrina Cooke, Daisy Le, Madeline Potts, Di Qiang
Year 7
Red
Naomi Cheng, Millie Cullinane, Caitlin Kim, Carine Kong, Ruby Scarf, Natalie Yang
Eisteddfod Jazz White DanceLife Unite 1st
Extreme Eisteddfod 1st
Sydney Eisteddfod Video Submission 1st Awards
Year 11
Silver
Isabel Dean, Anika Perera
Blue
Antoinette Boxall, Fiona Fu, Ella Gibietis, Amali Hilton, Rachel Johnstone, Haley Spring, Jessica Tse, Delta Zarafetas, Jasmine Zhi
Year 10
Blue
Charlotte Allen, Amelia Barr, Denise Wang, Jessica Woo
Year 9
Blue
Grace Perrignon, Georgia Shaw, Jessica Slater
Year 8
Blue Felicity Sheh
Eisteddfod Jazz Scarlet
DanceLife Unite 2nd
Extreme Eisteddfod 3rd
Sydney Eisteddfod Video Submission Highly Commended Awards
Year 11
Blue Victoria Pattison
Red Mia Baily, Isabelle Mather, Emilie Palme
Year 10
Blue Chloe Tran, Bonita Xie
Red Laura Croker, Olivia Eichmann, Emilia Ruscio
Year 9
Blue Lisa Ji, Claire Spring
Red
Lara Chapman, Piper Gregory-Reid, Lily Hearne, Kashish Sabharwal, Arabella Sherlock, Gigi Spiller, Marina Volikas
Year 8
Red
Anais Burnicle, Sophia Chang, Elizabeth Tang
Year 7
Red Stella Boyle, Meimei Jiang, Teagan Ning, Clara Thiris, Natalie Yang
Eisteddfod Jazz Navy
DanceLife Unite 1st
Extreme Eisteddfod Highly Commended
Sydney Eisteddfod Video Submission 3rd
Awards
Year 11
Red Jasmine Pham
Year 10
Red Ankana Dharmaratnam, Charlotte Ferry, Rose Haran, Demi Hardas
Year 9
Red Chloe Brogan, Tiyana Jayaweera, Aashna Rana
Year 8
Red
Sofia Adamovich, Evie Gibson, Ellie Hennessy, Annie Wanrong Luo, Madeline Potts, Emily Rothery, Alexandra Stansall, Radha Apana
Year 7
Red
Caitlin Kim, Mia Kim, Iris Li, Charlotte Ruscio, Charlotte Tidemann
Eisteddfod Junior Jazz DanceLife Unite 1st
Extreme Eisteddfod 2nd
Sydney Eisteddfod Video Submission 1st
Participants
Year 4
Chelsea Duan, Jessamy Facer, Faith Hedley, Reese Zhang Year 5
Mischa Baba, Annabella Bayfield, Imogen Jones, Rosanna Rew, Emma Scott, Michelle Song, Chloe Tian-Cheong, Feifei Wang
Year 6
Lynn An, Katherine Boyce, Cindy Jin, Amelia Lee, Saskia Nicholson, Sophie Rigg, Sahana Vivekanandhan, Kathy Wang, Caitlin Xi, Milly Xu, Stella Xu, Helen Zheng, Camellia Zhou
Eisteddfod Junior Lyrical DanceLife Unite Highly Commended
Extreme Eisteddfod 1st
Sydney Eisteddfod Video Submission Highly Commended
Participants
Year 4
Jessamy Facer, Lana Tao
Year 5
Imogen Jones, Cindy Lin, Rosanna Rew, Emma Scott, Claudia Sherlock, Feifei Wang, Leahara Wijesuriya
Year 6
Katherine Boyce, Isabelle Ho, Cindy Jin, Saskia Nicholson, Victoria O’Sullivan, Sophie Rigg, Sahana Vivekanandhan, Kathy Wang, Camille Xiao, Milly Xu, Stella Xu
Drama
CO-CURRICULAR DRAMA CAPTAIN’S REPORT
This year was certainly an eventful one in Co-curricular Drama. Notwithstanding the pandemic, Pymble Drama students worked hard to make their mark across the board from Filmmaking to Theatresports and Festival teams. Students and their teachers worked hard to stay motivated during the lockdown period and continued their collaborations and creations online. It was a true pleasure to be Co-curricular Drama Captain this year and I loved every bit of it. Drama is an incredible tool that allows young women to transform into confident, articulate individuals. It certainly changed my life and helped me gain the confidence to use my voice and believe that I have something worth saying. Being a part of filmmaking also gave me a creative outlet to express myself and create content on issues that I really cared about such as islamophobia and women’s rights. Working with the Co-curricular students, the new face of Drama and our future leaders, was so inspiring. I look forward to seeing Co-curricular Drama continue to flourish with talent and dedication.
Interview with Sophie Coughlan, Year 12
How have you been involved in Co-curricular Drama at Pymble? At the moment I do Senior Festival teams and this is my second year, but since Year 7 I have been taking general performance classes for Co-curricular.
How has Co-curricular Drama impacted you? When I first started Co-curricular Drama, it was to express my passion for performing as it wasn’t a subject we could pick up during school. I think that my live performance and devising skills have improved so much since I started competing in the Festival teams. The skills you develop in the classes have been so valuable.
How was doing Co-curricular Drama over lockdown? Definitely different. I think it was really interesting to explore how we could use Zoom to enhance a performance, i.e., through different backgrounds and placements on the screen.
Have a Go Expo
This year we had the ‘Have a Go Expo’, which was a new, exciting event that showcased each of the College’s Co-curricular programs to our Years 7 to 12 students. It was so encouraging to see the Co-curricular Drama stall surrounded by the buzz of interested students; not only the Year 7 girls, but also older students excited to start their drama journeys. I wouldn’t have been able to run it without the help of many Years 10 and 11 Drama students who spoke to the girls of their experiences. The popcorn, games and the photo booth didn’t hurt either to promote the spirit of ‘Have a Go’ and garner great interest in Co-curricular Drama.
Achievements
Our Drama Festival teams represented Pymble at the Ryde Eisteddfod. In the Junior Play Performance category Pymble came first with Money Isn’t Everything Pymble also came first and second place in the Secondary Play Performance category with Welcome to Pine Lodge and Hi Honey. We had several entries that received a Highly Commended including The Middle School Brain, Civilised and Mice Mice also came third place at the Festival of Speech in the Drama category. Our Years 8 to 10 Co-curricular improvising students were also involved with the Ryde Eisteddfod. Their original performance on the topic of ‘Trapped’ earned them first place.
Our Drama Festival teams competed at the Sharp and Short Festival Grand Final held at Parramatta Riverside Theatre. The Flight (Years 5 and 6) and Siri Says (Years 10 and 11) performed to an exceptional level making it to the Grand Final. The Flight won two awards – Best Director and Best Script, Primary.
We also had an excellent achievement in Filmmaking with Year 10 students Annie Chen and Jacqueline Qin. At the State Shakespeare Carnival, their short film Dark Lady won first place in the Short Film Category!
We made history in 2021 with our Years 7 to 11 Drama Festival teams competing at the Sydney Eisteddfod in the Original Group Devised category. The students were complimented on their polish, storyline and ensemble work, all done to a very high standard. Our Year 8 Drama Festival team achieved third place and our Year 9 Drama Festival team came Highly Commended; amazing achievements in a category with a high number of entries.
Our improvisers also performed in the Sydney Eisteddfod over Zoom. Olivia Clifford, Year 9, came second in the Impromptu Speech category for ages 15 to 19. In the Impromptu Speech category for 14 Years and Under both Madeleine Watson, Year 8, and Saskia Fitzgerald, Year 9, came Highly Commended.
Tahmara Thomas, Captain of Co-curricular DramaDrama is an incredible tool that allows young women to transform into confident, articulate individuals.Alexandra Luxton, Year 10, Sophie Coughlan, Year 11, Antoinette Boxall, Year 11, Charlotte Allen, Year 10 and Isla Harris, Year 10
Drama
THEATRE CAPTAIN'S REPORT
Through a strange year of ups and downs, our Pymble girls prevailed to make 2021 an extremely successful year of theatre. Girls from Years 7 to 11 had the opportunity to showcase their dramatic and performance skills in one of two shows. Both were lucky to be performed in-person and with live audiences.
Productions
2021 started with the Years 7 to 9 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream which was a spectacular production that excellently showcased the talent of our younger girls through a contemporary Shakespearean lens. The show provided an opportunity for many girls to test out the water in their first Pymble production, hopefully encouraging them to further explore the wonderful theatrical world that Pymble has to offer.
For our older girls in Years 10 and 11, Term 2 presented a skilful and hilarious production of Oscar Wilde’s widely regarded comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest. Due to the high interest to participate in the production, we had two separate lead casts. Each cast performed two out of the four nights with one combined ensemble that performed in both. The casts each performed the characters with their own takes, although both still beautifully captured their comical and entertaining natures.
Due to the high interest to participate in the production, we had two separate lead casts.
Both productions allowed the girls to form great connections and create strong bonds with other like-minded performers. I hope to see all the wonderful talent back on stage for another successful year of Theatre.
Annika Johnson, Captain of Theatre
Drama
DRAMA AWARDS
Drama Festival Team Year 10 Blue
Charlotte Allen, Antoinette Boxall, Sophie Coughlan, Isla Harris, Alexandra Luxton
Year 9
Red Isabel Aveling, Maiya Foster, Amelie Matthews, Elizabeth Tang, Demitria Volos, Lily Hearne, Ashley Park, Aashna Rana, Gigi Spiller
Year 8
Blue
Diana Attinger, Anarghya Guru Prasad, Lauren Korenblyum, Claire McPherson, Iris Wang, Candace Xi, Alyssa Xu
Year 7
Red
Sehjal Baveja, Louisa Heritage, Selina Huang, Isabelle Short, Nikita Srivastava, Mahika Swamy, Kristine Weng, Imogen Wu
Theatresports
Year 10 Red Rebecca Peters Year 9 Red
Giaan Jackson, Grace Scott
Year 8 Red Madeleine Watson
Years 7 to 12 Filmmaking Year 10 Silver
Annie Chen Production –
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Year 12
Blue Alyssa Vardy Year 9
Blue
Elizabeth Graves, Amelie Matthews, Charlise Moodie, Aashna Rana, Gigi Spiller, Estelle Vander Red Isabel Aveling, Lily Hearne, Sarah Macpherson, Ashley Park, Demitria Volos
Year 8
Blue Darcey Hawkins Red
Genevieve Hartin, Victoria Marsh, Phoebe Paleologos, Elizabeth Tang, Madeleine Watson
Year 7
Red Samantha Fahy, Louisa Heritage, India Wells Lister, Nikita Srivastava, Isla Stewart, Ruhani Surana, Anaïs Vander, Imogen Wu
Production –The Importance of Being Earnest
Year 11
Silver
Amelia Fantham, Annika Johnson
Blue
Sophie Coughlan, Kate FalconerFlint, Ciara Gibson, Kashika Goswami, Arabella Ibbotson, Anna Mufford, Chloe Tedesco, Tahmara Thomas
Year 10 Silver
Isla Harris, Claire Oslington
Blue
Charlotte Allen, Lucy Bell
Red
Annie Chen, Emma Harding, Christine Hur, Vishakha Iyer, Angelina Lu, Lucy Miller, Natasha Newham, Mia Plasto, Isabella Watson, Bella Zhang
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
The production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was quite an experience. The audition process was very quick and fun. You had to book a time and wait in the Music Building lobby until it was your turn. When I went to the audition, I was with one other person who was very nice to me. Each person got to act out a part of the character they wanted to be, and the others would act out other characters in that scene. A couple of weeks later, if you were successful, you got a call back email. Everyone at the call back went into the room at the same time and when you weren’t acting you were watching the others act. If you were selected to be in the play, you then got an email saying congratulations and the part you got.
During months of rehearsals, fun and memorisation, the cast had a great time being together. We had rehearsals two days a week (Wednesday and Saturday), and it was great to see everything come together. Once it was closer to the dates of our performances we also had to come in on Sundays. All of our costumes were beautiful, the lighting and set were stunning, and we had a couple of parties in our dressing rooms. We performed on three different nights: Thursday, Friday and Saturday. After our final performance (in which tears were shed), we had a party with pizza, drinks and candy. We learned a lot about lighting, sets, costumes and acting. Overall, this was such a magical experience that we will always remember.
Nikita Srivastava and Samantha Fahy, Year 7
Language Arts
LANGUAGE ARTS CAPTAINS’ REPORT
This year, we had wonderful achievements in Language Arts across all fields. We are so thankful to all the students who participated in events and competitions this year. Their hard work was incredible, and we are so proud of all the effort that they put into their activities. Special congratulations to the students who performed exceptionally well in their respective competitions.
Mock Trial and Mediation
We would like to thank Mrs Jarvis for her training and guidance for the Mediation team over many years, and welcome her daughter Amy Jarvis, Year 12, who will take over as coach.
Pymble Model United Nations
The Pymble Model United Nations student-led conference had more than 50 participants
Festival of Speech
Pymble introduced fUNMute Yourself as a new open category which we hope will be a permanent fixture at future Festivals.
Thank You
Behind every Language Arts student, there was a huge team in the background that we were so grateful for. A massive thank you to Mrs Turner, Director of Co-curricular Performing Arts, who led the team so well over the past year. In the Junior School, Mrs Itzcovitz was invaluable in running the various competitions for our Junior School students. Thank you to the parent body who supported us at every event and helped to organise the High Tea farewell at Avondale. Thank you to all the brilliant coaches who gave up their valuable time to help train every student and most importantly, Mrs Hubbard who supported and organised the Language Arts family through every single program and competition.
We couldn’t be prouder of the Language Arts family this past year and hope the program will continue to grow and flourish in coming years!
Chloe Hoang and Faye Chang, Captains of Language Arts
“Language Arts has been like a second family to me, honestly! The people that I met and the experiences that I had are truly irreplaceable. The highlight would definitely be the weekly brownies at Debating (the kitchen’s great!).” – Joy Ye, Year 9
LANGUAGE ARTS AWARDS
Public Speaking Year 11
Blue Chloe Hoang Year 10 Red Alyssa Yee Year 9 Silver Joy Ye Blue Chelsea Shi Year 8 Blue Evelyn Zhu Year 7 Blue Kitty He Festival of Speech Year 11 Red Meera Barani, Faye Chang, Isabelle Ho, Lara Hogan, Claire Kim, Thanya Paidi
Year 10
Red Hanna Cheung Year 9 Red Isabel Aveling
UN Negotiation Year 10
Blue Hanna Cheung, Maya Hu, Caitlyn Tan, Jessie Xie
Mock Law Year 10 Blue Tiffany Bae, Zoe Pfitzer, Sienna Srikanth, Jessie Xie
Red Hanna Cheung, Christine Hur, Caitlyn Tan
Year 9 Blue Amelie Matthews, Emma Parsons
“I’ve had such a great year in Language Arts. I enjoyed competing in familiar activities including Debating, Model UN and Festival of Speech, as well as challenging myself to try out new opportunities like Mock Trial! Getting to work with my friends and meet new people was really special and I look forward to Language Arts in the years ahead!”
Alyssa Yee, Year 10
Language Arts
LANGUAGE ARTS RESULTS AND PARTICIPANTS
ISDA Debating
Primary A
Jemma Hung, Jenny Ling, Stella Sharp, Alannah Tang, Angela Tao
Primary B
Isis Li, Leila Rich, Ashleigh Song, Jacquelyn Zhu
Year 7
Kiki Chen, Alice Mao, Jenny Xu, Alissa Xue
Year 8
Maya Garg, Lauren Korenblyum, Amy Zhang, Evelyn Zhu
Year 9
Jasmine Li, Emma Parsons, Chelsea Shi, Joy Ye
Year 10 Grand Finals
Isabella Cameron, Christine Hur, Angie Wang, Christy Xue, Alyssa Yee
Senior A
Amber Cai, Esther Choi, Amy Jarvis, Tara Narayan
Senior B
Faye Chang, Isabelle Ho, Chloe Hoang, Lara Hogan, Claire Kim
Archdale Debating
7A Semi-finals
Melody Chen, Kitty He, Amber Li, Imogen Wu
7B Grand Final Winners
Katherine Pan, Amber Wang, Jessica Xu, Jessica Zhai
8A
Phoebe Cooper, Mathilde Goddard, Ang-Ya Koo, Ella Liu, Allison Wang
8B Semi-finals
Olivia Blayney, Anarghya Guru Prasad, Ollisha Muthukuda, Zarina Nurlanov, Madeleine Watson
Year 9
Olivia Clifford, Claire Lee, Julie Sheng, Mulan Xu
Year 10
Alyssa Cheong, Martina Chin, Manni Lin, Caitlyn Tan, Jessie Xie, Angela Ye
Juniors
Angelina Lee, Sophie Toma, Aliya Yang
Seniors
Arshia Bhardwaj, Claire Li, Thanya Paidi, Angelica Tan
FED Debating
7A Grand Final Winners
Nikita Srivastava, Ruhani Surana, Imogen Wu, Jessica Zhai
7B
Sehjal Baveja, Adison Hartog-Smith, Iris Li, Brianna Zhang, May Zhang
8A
Emma Geng, Annika Lee, Christiana Soo, Olivia Xu
8B Semi-finals
Ariana Bansal, Sophia Chang, Ines Danziger, Louise Kim
Year 9
Veronica Chen, Emily Wang, Yuki Wang, Angel Wang Year 10
Alice Liu, Tiffany Bae, Hanna Cheung, Maya Hu, Angel Yu
Senior B
Kirsten Fong, Ashley Ko, Hayley Leighton, Alison Whiteman
Senior A Semi-finals
Meera Barani, Annabel Maple-Brown, Thanya Paidi International Debating Championships
Pymble 1 Grand Finals
Jemma Hung, Jenny Ling, Stella Sharp, Alannah Tang, Angela Tao
Pymble 2 Semi-finals
Isis Li, Leila Rich, Ashleigh Song, Christina Zhao, Jacquelyn Zhu
Pymble 3
Kiki Chen, Alice Mao, Amber Wang, Jenny Xu, Alissa Xue
Pymble 4
Nikita Srivastava, Ruhani Surana, Imogen Wu
Pymble 5
Olivia Blayney, Sabrina Cooke, Ines Danziger, Madeleine Watson
Pymble 6
Phoebe Cooper, Mathilde Goddard, Ang-Ya Koo, Ella Liu, Allison Wang
Pymble 7
Maya Garg, Lauren Korenblyum, Amy Zhang, Evelyn Zhu
Pymble 8
Olivia Clifford, Angelina Lee, Sophie Toma, Yuki Wang, Mulan Xu
Pymble 9
Isabella Cameron, Christine Hur, Angie Wang, Christy Xue, Alyssa Yee
Pymble 10
Hanna Cheung, Manni Lin, Caitlyn Tan, Angela Ye
IDC Top Speakers List
Jacquelyn Zhu (1st), Angela Tao, Jenny Ling
Junior Social Debating Year 5
Isabella Eum, Nicole Fan, Sarah Foo, Lucy Gao, Katy Jung, Lulu Li, Scarlett Li, Lia Lin, Aahana Paliwal, Chloe Shao, Alina Shi, Yuna Shin, Leahara Wijesuriya, Scarlett Wong, Annie Xiao, Julia Zhu, Kailin Zhu
Year 6
Alannah Tang, Angela Tao, Isabelle Younger, Christina Zhao, Jacquelyn Zhu
Secondary Social Debating Year 7
Meimei Jiang, Mia Kim, Lillian Li, Dorothy Li, Victoria Marsh, Elysia Sun
Year 8
Emma Du, Bella Hyun, Alice Kang, Ruthia Moore, Thinara Siriniwasa, Allison Wang
Year 9
Sophie Toma, June Yoon
Language Arts
LANGUAGE ARTS RESULTS AND PARTICIPANTS
Mock Mediation
Grand Final Winners
Amelie Matthews, Emma Parsons, Zoe Pfitzer, Tiffany Bae, Sophie Christopher, Sienna Srikanth, Jessie Xie
Mock Trial
Christine Hur, Caitlyn Tan, Christy Xue, Alyssa Yee, Arshia Bhardwaj, Angelica Tan
Kirby Cup Mooting
Team 1 Quarter Finals
Hanna Cheung, Christine Hur, Caitlyn Tan, Jessie Xie
Team 2 Octo Finals
Isabella Cameron, Sasha Wong, Kyna Das, Abiha Iqbal
Pymble Model United Nations
Year 7
Emelia Caulfield, Ayana Chandra, Rosa Kim, Annabel Morris, Nikita Srivastava, Ruhani Surana, Amber Wang, Imogen Wu, Alissa Xue
Year 8
Olivia Blayney, Aine Oo, Josephine Wong
Year 9
Amanda Li, Chelsea Shi, Yuki Wang, Mulan Xu, Aliya Yang, Angela Ye, Joy Ye, Joy Yuan, Annie Zhu
Year 10
Samantha Beverley, Isabella Cameron, Lisa Chen, Alyssa Cheong, Hanna Cheung, Sophie Christopher, Audrey Duong, Celine Hu, Maya Hu, Christine Hur, Mia Jiang, Lina Lin, Angelina Lu, Jolie Pang, Caitlyn Tan, Sasha Wong, Rhedyn Wong, Elina Wu, Jessie Xie, Christy Xue, Alyssa Yee, Angel Yu
Year 11
Faye Chang, Zoey Chen, Esther Choi, Genevieve Chu, Lauren Eyers, Isabelle Ho, Chloe Hoang, Claire Kim, Natasha Moore, Tara Narayan, Felicity Pham, Sophia Quah, Hunter Roberts, Hannah Sage, Rebecca Yu
Evatt
Year 9
Olivia Clifford, Charlotte Dhanu, Chelsea Shi, Joy Ye
Year 10
Isabella Cameron, Hanna Cheung, Maya Hu, Caitlyn Tan, Sasha Wong, Jessie Xie
State Finalists
Maya Hu, Jessie Xie
UN Negotiations
Isabella Cameron, Hanna Cheung, Maya Hu, Caitlyn Tan, Sasha Wong, Jessie Xie, Christy Xue, Thanya Paidi
State Finalists
Hanna Cheung, Caitlyn Tan
UN Voice
Maya Garg, Lauren Korenblyum, Madeleine Watson, Amy Zhang, Evelyn Zhu, Olivia Clifford, Hanna Cheung, Caitlyn Tan
Public Speaking
Kitty He Semi-finalist UN Voice of Youth 2021
Evelyn Zhu National Finalist UN Voice of Youth 2020, State Finalist 2021
Chelsea Shi State Finalist UN Voice of Youth 2021
Joy Ye State Finalist Legacy Public Speaking Competition
Chloe Hoang Finalist Rostrum Regionals, State Semi-finalist Plain English Speaking Award
Festival of Speech
Second Overall
Junior Debating
Grand Final Winners
Junior Reading Evelyn Zhu 3rd
Senior Reading
Alyssa Yee 5th
Junior Public Speaking Joy Ye 1st
Senior Public Speaking
Chloe Hoang 2nd Senior Drama 3rd
Participants
Year 8
Lauren Korenblyum, Evelyn Zhu
Year 9
Isabel Aveling, Olivia Clifford, Emma Parsons, Chelsea Shi, Joy Ye
Year 10
Charlotte Allen, Isabella Cameron, Hanna Cheung, Isla Harris, Christine Hur, Alexandra Luxton, Angie Wang, Christy Xue, Alyssa Yee
Year 11
Meera Barani, Antoinette Boxall, Faye Chang, Sophie Coughlan, Isabelle Ho, Chloe Hoang, Lara Hogan, Claire Kim, Thanya Paidi
Language Arts
DEBATING
The Debating program at Pymble is a great way to learn about social issues, critical thinking, and persuasion. It also allows you to work as a team with people and visit different schools. Debating helps retain a healthy level of scepticism while building a healthy attitude to questioning. All Pymble girls participating in Language Arts develop these skills to assist with public speaking. Our Social Debating program grew over 2021 with students joining in for fun, socialising and challenging afternoons to provide entertainment during lockdown periods.
This season, Pymble achieved outstanding results. Seven out of eight ISDA teams and six out of eight FED teams proceeded to the finals. Our Year 10 ISDA had an excellent season remaining undefeated until the Grand Final. The Year 7 FED A team also proceeded to the Grand Finals. It was a tough competition, but FED A brought home the Grand Final trophy and smiles filled with Pymble pride. Students also competed in the International Debating Championships while they were close to completing their season of Archdale Debating. We wish all of these girls luck for their future debates.
“I enjoyed my debating experiences at Pymble. I liked how our teacher was so inclusive and made our lessons so fun. I learned how to use rebuttal and hand gestures effectively. In our lessons we debated and watched other debaters from different schools and competitions. This helped us with our skills to learn what to do and what not to do from others’ mistakes and experiences. One of my favourite debates that I had this year was on the topic, ‘Children under 16 shouldn’t use their real names online’. This debate especially allowed me to think really broadly and outside the box. I love Debating at Pymble!” – Nicole Fan, Year 5
ARCHDALE YEAR 9
FED YEAR 7A
ISDA PRIMARY
ISDA SENIOR
MOCK
PYMBLE MODEL UNITED NATIONS (PMUN) EXECUTIVE
Speech and Drama
SPEECH AND DRAMA RESULTS
AMEB Voice and Communication
APCA Diploma in Professional Communication Australia
Tara Narayan High Distinction Vivian Wen High Distinction
CVCA Certificate of Voice and Communication Australia
Thanya Paidi High Distinction Zoey Chen Honours Hana Kassam Honours Jessica Wang High Credit Anna Wang High Credit Lauren Eyers High Pass
Grade 8
Tilly Morgan High Distinction Jessie Xie High Distinction Chantelle Wu High Credit
Grade 4 Maria Yang High Credit
Grade 3
May Zhang High Credit Helena Tang High Credit
AMEB Speech and Performance
Grade 8
Shubhi Sethi Honours Ning Ning Jin High Credit Rachel Johnson High Credit
Grade 7
Isabel Aveling High Distinction Evelyn Zhu High Distinction Gigi Spiller Honours Isabelle Huang High Credit
Grade 6
Estelle Vander Honours Alyssa Xu High Credit Scarlett Zeng Credit
Grade 5
Charlotte Ford Honours Diana Attinger Honours
Grade 4
Leila Rich High Distinction Abigail McKinnon Honours Ruby Lyons High Credit
Eisteddfod Results
Sydney Eisteddfod
Evelyn Zhu 1st Poetry Speaking, Highly Commended Character in Costume
Estelle Vander Highly Commended Verse Speaking
Ryde Eisteddfod
Junior Rotary Scholarship
Gigi Spiller 1st
Estelle Vander Highly Commended
News Reading
Lydia Heazlewood-Lee 1st
Character Solo in Costume
Isabel Aveling 1st Imogen Wu 1st Gigi Spiller 3rd Estelle Vander Highly Commended Diana Attinger Highly Commended
Poetry Performance
Annabella Bayfield 1st Haneesha Lidder 1st Nikita Srivastava 1st Estelle Vander 1st Imogen Wu 1st Peaches Zhang 1st Gigi Spiller 2nd Annika Sriram 2nd Charlotte Wu 2nd Hilary Eyers 3rd Lydia Heazlewood-Lee 3rd Mirabelle Lee 3rd Ruhani Surana 3rd Yuan Hui Chen Highly Commended Betty Han Highly Commended Sanaa Kapoor Highly Commended Angelina Lee Highly Commended Christina Lee Highly Commended Estelle Lee Highly Commended Aurora Lin Highly Commended Duola Lin Highly Commended Jannette Long Highly Commended Anjali Shah Highly Commended Trinity Sun Highly Commended Lydia Wang Highly Commended Olivia Wang Highly Commended Sophia Wang Highly Commended Abigail Yeh Highly Commended Chloe Yi Highly Commended Tiana Zhang Highly Commended Polly Zhao Highly Commended
Unprepared Reading
Isabel Aveling Highly Commended
Prepared Reading
Imogen Wu 3rd
Storytelling
Anjali Shah 2nd
Prose Speaking
Annabella Bayfield 2nd Yuan Hui Chen 3rd Hilary Eyers Highly Commended Estelle Lee Highly Commended
Co-curricular
Co-curricular Sport
2019. The Pymble team of 140 staff and students raised $3,428 for Headspace and completed 141,767 push-ups over 25 days.
Fred’s Big Run
During lockdown, the College entered Fred’s Big Run to raise funds for The Fred Hollows Foundation and help restore sight to those who are visually impaired or blind. Eighty-eight of our staff and students took on this challenge to run or walk up to 150 kilometres throughout the month of August. We achieved 4,846 kilometres and raised $16,872 to restore the sight to 675 people – the fifth highest amount raised by a team in Australia.
Online School
Pymble overcame the challenges of COVID-19 by providing numerous online sporting initiatives.
SPORT CAPTAINS’ REPORT
Pymble is renowned for its sporting brilliance and 2021 was no exception to this. The extensive Sport program included 32 sports that enabled all Pymble girls to extend themselves beyond the classroom and achieve incredible results. We are proud to say that our girls competed in local, state, national and international competitions with great sportsmanship, enthusiasm and excellence.
Our Initiatives
This year we appointed two War Cry Captains; Sarah Page and Dimity-Maree Xenos, Year 12, to help build Pymble spirit at sporting events by leading war cries. This was demonstrated at the Pymble versus Knox Grammar School netball match which was an opportunity to show that sport can be played equally by girls and boys.
To showcase Pymble’s up-and-coming talent, we introduced ‘Drop and Give Me 10’ to combined assemblies, which was a fun interview with Pymble athletes. We also celebrated girls who exhibited dedication, resilience and teamwork in their sport by awarding the prestigious Pymble drink bottle to Sports Stars of the Week.
Additionally, all our assembly presentations included inspiring quotes from international sporting heroes such as “No one is perfect, and no one should be made to feel like they have to be perfect” by dual Australian sporting athlete, ex-student and Sports Captain Ellyse Perry (2008).
Indigenous Round
For the third year, Pymble hosted the Indigenous Round of Sport as part of Reconciliation Week to celebrate Indigenous culture and the sporting talents of our Indigenous girls. This incredible day included a welcome ceremony, guest speakers, sporting games and a barbecue lunch. Pymble had a clean sweep with the Senior First teams winning the basketball, football and rugby matches.
Push-Up Challenge
The Push-Up Challenge is an annual event that runs throughout July to raise awareness for mental health whereby participants aim to complete 3,318 push-ups to represent the number of Australians who took their life in
• As part of Pymble’s Online Summer Series, the Learn to Lead in Sport course helped students feel empowered to take on sporting roles in the future.
• Online sport specific training sessions and the Jack and Jules Online Fitness sessions ensured Pymble girls could continue their sporting commitments and remain physically active whilst learning from home.
• We celebrated Green and Gold Day, where staff and students dressed up in green and gold to show their support for Australians competing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Sporting Highlights
Enthusiasm, teamwork and pride were exhibited in all areas of Independent Girls’ Schools Association (IGSA) sport this year, leading to outstanding achievements for Pymble. Countless girls across all sports progressed to NSW Combined Independent Schools (NSWCIS), NSW All Schools, National and International levels.
• Pymble was IGSA champions in AFL, Softball, Football, Basketball, Cross Country, Volleyball, Rowing, Swimming (fourth year in a row) and Diving (tenth year in a row).
• Our rowers were named Head of the River Champions.
• Our sailors were crowned champions at the National Sail Sydney Tournament.
• Many Pymble girls competed at the Olympic Trials for athletics, swimming and diving.
• We had four ex-students compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Thank You
We would like to acknowledge and thank the dedicated staff, coaches and girls for their support towards the Sports and Activities program at Pymble. A special thanks to Mr Meagher and Mrs Edwards for always providing every Pymble girl with the opportunity to pursue their passions and strive for their highest.
Finally, we are so grateful to have been the Captains of Sport this year and could not be prouder to have led such an amazing, talented, enthusiastic and kind group of Pymble girls. Your involvement, pride and support for each other will no doubt ensure the Sports and Activities program remains a vibrant part of the College.
Alice Dixon and Shivani Mehta, Captains of Sport
Sportswomen’s Awards
PYMBLE SPORTSWOMEN’S AWARDS
The annual Pymble Sportswomen’s Awards Dinner honours the achievements of our talented sportswomen in Years 7 to 12 who have made both the College and their parents very proud. In 2021 the Pymble Sportswomen’s Awards Dinner was planned to take place on Friday 29 October and then postponed to Friday 19 November. Unfortunately, both dates were cancelled due to restrictions. We did however present the awards at the final assemblies.
The awards are a way to encourage good performance and instil a competitive spirit. Sport at Pymble provides a platform for girls to be challenged, achieve and grow, and these awards are designed to recognise those who compete at the highest level in their chosen disciplines.
We acknowledge that not all girls who show excellence and commitment to their sport can be recognised and we thank all girls for their contribution to Pymble and encourage all students to continue to strive for their highest in their chosen sports.
Students who participated in competitive sports were recognised through several awards which included Athlete of the Year, All-rounder of the Year, IGSA Team of the Year, Representative Team of the Year, Strive for the Highest awards, Sports Officials of the Year, Australian Representatives and Sportswoman of the Year.
I would also like to extend special thanks to our College Principal, Dr Hadwen, and the College Board for supporting our exceptional sport program, and to all the parents who supported their daughters in their varied sporting pursuits.
Mrs Katie Edwards, Head of Sport 7-12
We thank all girls for their contribution to Pymble
Sportswomen’s Awards
SPORTSWOMEN’S AWARDS
Sportsgirl of the Year Shivani Mehta
AOC Change-Maker Leadership Award
Alice Dixon, Shivani Mehta
All-rounders of the Year
Year 7 Matilda Harrison
Year 8 Grace Townsend
Year 9 Amber Halliday
Year 10 Jessica Colbran
Year 11 Ruby Nicholas Year 12 Bo Burton
Athlete of the Year
AFL Laura Papworth Artistic Stella Robertson Gymnastics Athletics Olivia Inkster Badminton Emily Yang Basketball Grace Whyte Cricket Shivani Mehta Cross Country Abigail Ballhausen Diving Zara Tullipan
Equestrian Hannah Rockwell
Fencing Alyssa Yee Football Sarah Hunter Hockey Amalia Patterson Netball Audrey Little Rhythmic Gigi Spiller Gymnastics
Rowing Sophie Graham Rugby Sevens Ruby Nicholas Sailing Isabella Green Snow Sports Kyra Wheatley Softball Rhedyn Wong Surfing Cayla Phillips Swimming Adriana Fydler Tennis Ashlee Narker Touch Football Sienna Bond Volleyball Emily Ji Water Polo Sarah Middleton
Australian Representatives
Sara Bruce Sailing Nea Shingler Orienteering Team of the Year
Senior Firsts Basketball Team
Madeleine Coman, Alice Hillsdon, Opal Bird, Natasha Newham, Lucia O’Dea, Amarley Bron, Chloe Hanlan, Louisa Mitchell, Grace Whyte, Abigail Tyler
Senior Firsts Football Team
Kaitlyn Chan, Tara Watson, Claudia Johnston, Bo Burton, Georgina Maher, Monique Goyen, Tess Rickard, Shivani Mehta, Eloise Jones, Sophie Watson, Sofia Massaro, Laura Wilson,
Ciara Gibson, Jessica Colbran, Juliette Harris
Representative Team of the Year
Isabella Holdsworth, Olivia Williams, Isabella Green, Tiffany Mak, Charlotte Wykes, Clio Moran, Chantelle Wu
All’ Ultimo LavoroStrive for the Highest AFL
Amelia Browning, Aneeka Reilly, Louisa Mitchell, Tara Watson
Artistic Gymnastics
Lucy Clark, Piya Parimu Kapur Athletics
Brianna Worsfold, Grace Beck, Kailyn Joseph, Nicole McCrostie, Rhedyn Wong, Samara Bond, Sarah Baker, Sienna Bond, Sybella Warton
Badminton
Allison Wang, Angelina Lee, Christy Ju, Deborah Lee, Sophia Ji Basketball
Chloe Hanlan, Amarley Bron, Madeleine Coman, Opal Bird, Philippa Begg, Yvette Volk Cricket
Victoria Graves, Annabel MapleBrown, Jasmine David, Lihini Jayasekara
Cross Country
Nea Shingler, Caitlyn Tan, Sophia Slater, Tully Black, Yi Ying Lim
Diving
Kennedy Cooper, Arabella Cox, Ilaria Crowley, Rylee McKinstry, Samantha Scarr
Equestrian Holly Anderson Fencing
Vivian Wen Football
Laura Wilson, Amelia Brandon, Juliette Harris, Tara Watson
Hockey
Nicola Farquharson, Arabella Smithyman, Tessa Newitt
Netball
Olivia Inkster, Eugenie Little, Grace Whyte, Jessica Cullen, Opal Bird, Sophia Lupton
Rhythmic Gymnastics
Sophia Gao
Rowing
Mehreen Khan, Alice Walker, Catherine Gavagna, Jessica Colbran, Mia Booth
Rugby Sevens
Mia Campbell, Aspen Moore, Jessica Colbran, Lucy Miller, Lucy Robertson
Sailing
Olivia Williams, Isabella Holdsworth
Snow Sports
Rhiannon Castle
Softball
Emma Fryer, Alicia Ahn, Jocelyn Mar, Madeleine Coman
Surfing
Isobel Gosper, Maya Atkinson
Swimming
Elizabeth Gan, Annika Lee, Bella Zhang, Ellie Beck, Hannah Morton, Indianna Cameron Tennis
Danielle Rusman, Annabel Brown, Elizabeth Bull, Olivia Xu, Sofia Thorne, Susannah Su
Touch Football
Lauren Geddes, Grace Townsend, Mia Sams, Niraaya Jayasinghe, Rose Tate
Volleyball
Emma Sargeant, Charlotte Dhanu, Emma Lau, Jessie Qin, Vanessa Liu
Water Polo
Jessica Sywak, Alexandra MacColl, Holly Campbell, Melijah Dwight, Phoebe Roberts, Samantha Lever
AFL CAPTAIN’S REPORT
The fourth year of the Pymble AFL program proved to be one of the most popular Term 1 sports with eight teams in 2021: three Junior teams, three Intermediate teams and two Senior teams.
AFL won the most popular sport for the Cross Country event this year by overtaking the long-running sports of Netball and Rowing – what an achievement!
Competition
St Scholastica’s joined the competition this year from Glebe, with other schools such as Ravenswood, Abbotsleigh, St Catherine’s, Wenona, MLC, Brigidine, Monte Sant’ Angelo, Loreto Normanhurst and PLC Sydney. They were amazing competitors and their AFL skills tested us. Pymble hosts a primary school competition for the Junior School girls which is increasingly popular.
Through the term we saw vast improvement in skills, teamwork and co-operation. Such qualities were most evident when we were faced with a challenge, and the team collaborated to work well together. The parents’ reaction and encouragement from the sideline was only emphasised by the remarkable execution of AFL skills at a school level.
An unbelievable season resulted in four Pymble teams representing the College at the grand final on Saturday 27 March. Pymble Teams 1, 2 and 5 won their grand finals and should be very proud of their effort and determination. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for AFL at Pymble
Thanks
Thank you to Mr Garrad, the AFL Co-ordinator, for his hard work behind the scenes and for organising the competition. Thank you to the AFL 2021 coaches for their hard work, patience and the successful season. Thanks to the parents, players, friends, family, umpires and staff for their support at our games on the weekends. Thank you to the groundsmen and women and gardeners at the College for taking such amazing care of the grounds, we appreciate your work so much.
Louisa Mitchell, Captain of AFL
AFL AWARDS
Year 12
Blue Emily Bannister, Bo Burton, Shivani Mehta, Louisa Mitchell, Laura Papworth, Rose Tate, Tara Watson
Red Mia De Riz, Hannah Edwards, Samantha Guthrie, Bianca Raice, Emma Reidy, Emma Sullivan, Tiarn Wilesmith
Year 11
Blue
Rianna Bhat, Ciara Gibson, Freya Gordon, Isobel Gosper, Chloe Hanlan, Claudia Johnston, Eliza Nelson, Ruby Nicholas, Aneeka Reilly, Camilla Reynolds, Amelie Riley, Georgia Spanswick, Laura Wilson
Red
Nina Breckenridge, Amelia Browning, Edie Cleland, Chloe Ding, Matilda Geddes, Elizabeth Glenn, Amelia Hinrichsen, Laura Legovich, Sophie Misener, Ami Naito, Nea Shingler, Zara Tullipan
Year 8
Red
Mary Cottrell, Lucy Jackson
Year 7
Red
Sophie Ballantyne, Chloe Browning, Madison Donald, Matilda Harrison, Rose Kirkby, Abigail McKinnon, Lucy McLean, Maggie Morgan, Elke Payne, Jaidey Samuelsson, Zara Simpson, Olianna Tighe
AFL REPRESENTATIVES
CIS Representatives
NSW All Schools Representative Jessica Colbran
An unbelievable season resulted in four Pymble teams representing the College at the grand finalJessica Colbran, Hannah Ford, Yvette Volk Aimee Ng, Year 10
AFL RESULTS
Pymble 1
1st ISC 11/12 Division 1
Rianna Bhat, Claudia Johnston, Ruby Nicholas, Camilla Reynolds, Georgia Spanswick, Ciara Gibson, Emily Bannister, Isobel Gosper, Shivani Mehta, Eliza Nelson, Louisa Mitchell, Tara Watson, Chloe Hanlan, Rose Tate, Bo Burton, Freya Gordon, Laura Wilson, Laura Papworth, Amelie Riley, Aneeka Reilly
Pymble 2
1st ISC 11/12 Division 2
Amelia Browning, Laura Legovich, Nea Shingler, Elizabeth Glenn, Hannah Edwards, Amelia Hinrichsen, Zara Tullipan, Sophie Misener, Chloe Ding, Matilda Geddes, Edie Cleland, Tiarn Wilesmith, Emma Sullivan, Nina Breckenridge, Mia De Riz, Bianca Raice, Emma Reidy, Samantha Guthrie
Pymble 3
3rd ISC 9/10 Division 1
Briana Armstrong, Madeline Lawson, Kaitlyn Chan, Yvette Volk, Lucy Yates, Abigail Ballhausen, Philippa Begg, Milla Black, Jessica Colbran, Samantha Lever, Phoebe Mason, Aimee Ng, Saskia Willoughby-Winlaw, Asha Goddard, Amarley Bron, Natasha Newham, Jemima Burney, Hannah Ford, Rachel Sullivan, Ava Yates, Phoebe Vowels
Pymble 4
4th ISC 9/10 Division 2
Adelia Arslan, Sophie Banerjee, Madeleine Raymond, Juliette Harris, Sophie Livingstone, Meredith Reynolds, Arabella Smithyman, Kate Thorpe, Amelia Barr, Sophia Lupton, Ava Thomson, Emily Pearson, Charlotte Morris, Claudia Webster, Alessandra Braysich, Safia Arslan, Giselle Garey, Scarlet Czyniewski, Sarah Glenn, Alana Armstrong, Ella Jones
Pymble 5
1st ISC 9/10 Division 3
Zoe Tallentire, Jacinta Martin, Isabel Matosantos, Tess Standfield, Olivia Kowal, Lisa Chen, Isabella Jelley, Lucinda Woodfield, Ella Jones, Elise Djerrkura, Marina Volikas, Anna Ward, Ruby Thomson, Lucy Miller, Harriet McLean, Giaan Jackson, Georgia McDonagh, Alice Hillsdon, Kristina Pilkington, Hannah Walker
Pymble 6
3rd ISC 7/8 Division 1
Johanna Ricketts, Isabelle Short, Dasha Stusenko, Elizabeth Yates, Ariana Ziolkowski, Tully Black, Sophia Slater, Louise Lovell, Sarah Lovell, Tessa Newitt, Emily Visser, Tiana Walsh, Izabella Ziolkowski, Sophia Darbar, Charlotte Tidemann, Yve Willmott, Mika Naito
Pymble 7
7th ISC 7/8 Division 2
Zara Pattinson, Isabella Stalley, Annabel Charnock, Phoebe Cooper, Elizabeth Bailey, Caitlyn Bilney, Catalina Bolton, Emelia Caulfield, Matilda Hawkins, Emily Walker, Aimi Jenkin, Lily Jones, Charlotte Forrester, Maddie Morris, Dezi Magann-Jones, Ines Danziger
Pymble 8
1st ISC 7/8 Division 2
Sophie Ballantyne, Chloe Browning, Rose Kirkby, Abigail McKinnon, Lucy McLean, Maggie Morgan, Zara Simpson, Olianna Tighe, Lucy Jackson, Matilda Harrison, Madison Donald, Mary Cottrell, Elke Payne, Jaidey Samuelsson
Pymble 9
5th ISC 7/8 Division 3
Natalie Barclay, Kaitlin Vigne, Lauren Gibson, Diana Attinger, Lisa Wang, Laura Januszek, Jemima GrovesBerry, Siena Pascoe, Emma Pattison, Helena Tang, Kate Toomey, Angela Xenofontos, Isabella Pak
INTERMEDIATE
JUNIOR SCHOOL AFL REPORT
IPSHA AFL was certainly different from 2020. With the support of the coaches, we managed to have pre-recorded online training sessions that boosted our skills. Online learning did have its downsides though. Sometimes the videos wouldn’t load, and glitches occurred regularly. Although training was severely limited by online learning, everyone still found ways to practise frequently. Although we had fun this year, the girls are looking forward to a full AFL season in 2022.
Varada Vinay, Cindy Jin, Eden Orena Barlin and Serena Cummings, Year 6
IPSHA AFL TEAMS
Pymble 1
Sierra Borean, Blair Elliott, Sarah Foo, Abby Pisani, Eleanor Rowe, Zara Sandham, Claudia Sherlock, Pia Vandeleur, Jessica Allman, Amelia Bicego, Varada Vinay, Maile Wilson, Arin Yoon
Pymble 2
Madeleine Birrell, Edith Cullinane, Willow Gerreyn, Haneesha Lidder, Emma Lloyd, Estelle Macolino, Charlie Slater, Ava Welton, Ruby Thomas, Annabel Makeham, Madison Aikman
Artistic Gymnastics
ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS CAPTAIN’S REPORT
From day one of 2021, the coaches and gymnasts of Pymble’s Artistic Gymnastics program demonstrated commitment, hard work, resilience and most importantly, a love for the sport which made this year a huge success. Despite the challenges of a second COVID-19 lockdown in July, the Pymble gymnasts persevered with resilience and determination to keep training and maintain a high standard of skill development. The team came together during this period of isolation and continued to encourage and support one another both in gymnastics and other aspects of life. Before lockdown, the gymnasts had opportunities at many competitions ranging from invitational to state level. A big congratulations is extended to all gymnasts who participated in these competitions as not only did we achieve incredible results, but the gymnasts represented the program with such pride as they showed unwavering support for one another. This year, Pymble gymnastics also welcomed Ms Taylor as Acting Head Coach whilst Mrs Gestier was on maternity leave. Ms Taylor did an amazing job to keep the program running smoothly, dedicating her time and effort into making sure the gym was a safe and supportive environment for all. We thank Ms Taylor tremendously for her work over the past year and wish her all the best in the future.
Competitions
The first competitions of the year were the NSW State Trials for Level 10 in March, where Stella Robertson, Year 9, represented Pymble. Stella did exceptionally well, and her outstanding results meant she qualified for the Senior State Championships in April where she came fourth overall. As one of the top six gymnasts at the State Championships, Stella was selected for the NSW Level 10 team to compete at the National competition. The competition was held in May in Queensland and NSW won silver!
The Level 7 girls, Piya Parimu Kapur, Year 9, Ilaria Crowley, Year 8, and Georgia Phillips, Year 9, also competed during May at the Border Challenge Trial and all achieved excellent results. Piya
was also selected for the NSW Border Challenge Team A that was supposed to compete in June, however due to the lockdown, the competition was unfortunately cancelled.
One of the final competitions before lockdown was for the Level 5 girls at the Northern Regions Invitational. The performances from Ashton Malcolm, Year 5, Zarah Hres, Year 7, Mahika Swamy, Year 7, Gabriella Sheh, Year 6, Madison Yip, Year 9, and Lara Groves-Berry, Year 9, were excellent with Zarah placing third on vault and Mahika first on beam.
The annual Winter Wonderland competition was held in June at Manly Warringah Gymnastics and Pymble had 26 girls from Levels 3 to 7 competing. All the Pymble gymnasts performed outstandingly with some girls placing in the top three in their respective levels and divisions. In Level 3, Olivia Dinnie, Year 3, Evelyn Lu, Year 2, and Blair Tang, Year 4, all came first overall in their respective divisions. The results Pymble obtained were exceptional and a testament to the hard work and dedication of all the girls.
IGSA
The IGSA competition is always a highly anticipated event for Pymble as it offers a chance to build team spirit, meet new people and represent the College. The coaches and gymnasts always have so much fun encouraging one another in a sport they all love but unfortunately, with the lockdown, IGSA was again cancelled for 2021. Whilst an IGSA team may not have been selected, all gymnasts who had been training with dedication throughout the year for this competition were recognised with performance awards in Term 4. These gymnasts deserve a huge thank you and congratulations for their ongoing teamwork and hard work at training.
Online Gymnastics
As NSW entered a period of lockdown from July to October 2021, Pymble Gymnastics quickly adapted to the new circumstances and moved to an online platform. For the duration of Term 3 and the start of Term 4, all competitive
squads had online training sessions with their coach with each session working on different areas such as strength, cardio, flexibility, or modified skills to help maintain skills and physicality whilst at home. The online gymnastics program was incredibly successful with outstanding commitment from all girls and amazing programs run by the coaches. Being in lockdown affected everyone’s motivation but the girls challenged themselves by attending these sessions and making sure their bodies kept moving!
Alongside the online training sessions, the girls were encouraged to complete self-led strength training throughout the week. These independent sessions were logged in a digital training diary kindly put together by Ms Taylor. The training diaries were a great way for both the gymnasts and the coaches to monitor fitness and gave the girls a chance to step away from the screen after a long day of online schooling. Not only did training continue throughout lockdown, but the termly strength testing of competitive squads continued too! There were some modifications made to the exercises to accommodate for a home setting, but the girls could still complete this testing to help the coaches monitor progress. To complete the testing, each gymnast was paired up with
All the Pymble gymnasts performed outstandingly
Artistic Gymnastics
ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS CAPTAIN’S REPORT
another member of their squad and would meet via Microsoft Teams or outside once restrictions lifted which assisted in maintaining strong relationships with teammates.
Special Thanks
I am so grateful to be the 2022 Artistic Gymnastics Captain and look forward to all the excitement this coming year. I would like to extend a huge thank you to our Principal, Dr Hadwen, Senior Deputy Principal, Mrs Shaw, Director of Sport, Mr Meagher, Head of Sport 7-12, Mrs Edwards, Head of Sport K-6, Mr Tyson, and Coaching Development Director, Mr Pennington, for their constant support and encouragement of Pymble Artistic Gymnastics.
Furthermore, this program would not have been possible without the incredible efforts of Mrs Clyne, Head Coach Mrs Gestier, Acting Head Coach Ms Taylor, and all the coaches. Thank you all for your passion and dedication this year. To all the gymnasts of 2021, I would like to especially thank you for your continued enthusiasm and hard work and congratulate you all for your talent and exceptional achievements this year. Pymble Artistic Gymnastics is always such a positive environment and 2021 was certainly no exception!
Emilie Palme, 2022 Captain of Artistic Gymnastics
Captain of Artistic Gymnastics Kristen Jewell
Artistic
ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS AWARDS
Year 12
Red Kristen Jewell, Emilie Palme, Chloe Tedesco
Year 10
Red Lucy Clark, Kate Marshall, Lucy Robertson
Year 9
Red Tiyana Jayaweera, Piya Parimu Kapur, Georgia Phillips, Stella Robertson, Alyssa Yip, Madison Yip
Year 8
Red Ilaria Crowley, Zoe Kosinar, Talia Luo
Year 7
Red Emma Baikie, Sasha Clark, Vivienne Eaton, Julia Farcas, Holly Graham, Zarah Hres, Siobhan Hsu, Dasha Stusenko, Mahika Swamy
ACROBATIC GYMNASTICS AWARDS
Year 11
Silver Olivia Harvey
Artistic Gymnastics
ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS REPRESENTATIVES
Pymble Representatives
Stella Robertson, Piya Parimu Kapur
NSW Representatives
Stella Robertson, Piya Parimu Kapur
ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS RESULTS
State Trial 1
Stella Robertson 1st Beam, 3rd Bars, 2nd Overall
State Trial 2
Stella Robertson 17th Overall
State Championships
Stella Robertson 2nd Vault, 8th Bars, 8th Beam, 2nd Floor, 4th All-Around
Levels 5 to 7 Northern Region Invitational Competition
Ashton Malcolm 6th Vault, 6th Bars, 14th Beam, 13th Floor, 12th Overall
Zarah Hres 3rd Vault, 11th Bars, 7th Beam, 9th Floor, 6th Overall
Mahika Swamy 14th Vault, 8th Bars, 1st Beam, 13th Floor, 10th Overall
Gabriella Sheh 10th Vault, 14th Bars, 16th Beam, 14th Floor, 15th Overall
Madison Yip 14th Vault, 6th Bars, 7th Beam, 17th Floor, 16th Overall
Lara Groves-Berry 13th Vault, 15th Bars, 17th Beam, 16th Floor, 17th Overall
Level 7 Border Challenge
Piya Parimu Kapur 10th Vault, 1st Bars, 7th Beam, 10th Floor, 1st Overall
Ilaria Crowley 7th Vault, 3rd Bars, 11th Beam, 14th Floor, 5th Overall
Georgia Phillips 3rd Vault, 18th Bars, 23rd Beam, 17th Floor, 16th Overall
Zoe Kosinar 22nd Vault, 15th Bars, 27th Beam, 22nd Floor, 27th Overall
Winter Wonderland
Level 3
Evelyn Lu 1st Vault, 3rd Bars, 1st Beam, 1st Floor, 1st All-Around Charlotte Elliott 6th Bars, 4th Beam, 5th All-Around
Olivia Dinnie 2nd Vault, 3rd Bars, 5th Beam, 3rd Floor, 1st All-Around Nouvelle Nicholson 1st Vault, 5th Floor, 3rd All-Around Imogen Martin 2nd Beam, 3rd Floor, 3rd All-Around Olivia Wang 6th Beam Blair Tang 2nd Vault, 1st Bars, 3rd Beam, 1st Floor, 1st All-Around Aaliyah Khanche 5th Bars, 1st Beam, 6th Floor
Level 4
Aimee Yap 3rd Vault, 1st Bars, 1st Beam, 1st Floor, 1st All-Around Holly Graham 4th Vault, 2nd Floor
Dasha Stusenko 2nd Bars
Abby Lim 5th Bars, 3rd Beam, 6th All-Around
Grace Park 6th Floor
Amélie Rahme 4th Vault, 2nd Bars, 3rd Beam, 3rd Floor, 2nd Overall
Anna Wang 5th Vault, 4th Beam, 5th Floor, 3rd Overall
Miranda Wu 6th Vault Michelle Shi 3rd Bars, 5th Beam, 5th Overall Autumn Wang 4th Floor Amelia Blaiklock 5th Vault
Level 5
Ashton Malcolm 3rd Vault, 6th Bars, 5th Beam, 3rd All-Around Madison Yip 5th Vault, 4th Bars, 4th All-Around Mahika Swamy 2nd Bars, 6th Beam
Level 6
Amalia Bond 1st Vault, 3rd Bars, 3rd Floor Siobhan Hsu 3rd Vault, 2nd Bars, 4th Floor, 3rd All-Around
Level 7
Zoe Kosinar 4th Bars Ilaria Crowley 1st Vault, 4th Floor
Artistic Gymnastics
Athletics
ATHLETICS CAPTAINS’ REPORT
Pymble’s Athletics team had more than 100 students from Kindergarten to Year 12 training each week to run, jump or throw with our incredible range of highly skilled and experienced coaches.
Carnivals
Pymble’s Friday night races and Term 3 IGSA Carnival were unable to be hosted in 2021 however the College’s annual Athletics Carnival was a success. The carnival was held on the Main Oval with girls from Year 7 to Year 12 participating in several races, jumps and throws and House relays!
The final race of the day was the traditional championship race with our ten best sprinters. Congratulations to Olivia Inkster, Year 11, who finished first, Alice Dixon, Year 12, second and Sienna Bond, Year 11, third.
Australian Track and Field Championships
In April, 21 Pymble athletes competed at the Australian Track and Field Championships at Sydney Olympic Park. The athletes produced great results and in total Pymble won five gold medals, two silver medals and five bronze medals. Congratulations to the following athletes who received medals at the championships:
Ella Koster, Year 12 3rd Under 20 Years Heptathlon
Kailyn Joseph, Year 12 3rd Open AMB Long Jump
Olivia Inkster, Year 11 1st Under 17 Years 400m, 2nd Under 17 Years 200m and a World Junior Qualifying Time
Brianna Worsfold, Year 11 1st Under 17 Years Shot Put
Sienna Bond, Year 11 1st Under 17 Years Long Jump, 2nd Under 17 Years Triple Jump, 3rd Under 17 Years 100m Hurdles
Sarah Baker, Year 9 3rd Under 15 Years 3,000m
Grace Townsend, Year 8 3rd Under 14 Years 80m Hurdles
Sybella Warton, Year 8 2nd Under 15 Years AMB 100m,1st Under 15 Years AMB 400m, 3rd Under 15 Years AMB 200m
Grace Beck, Year 7 1st Under 14 Years 2,000m Walk
Nitro
The Pymble team was grateful to compete in the NSW Nitro Athletics competition.
Despite this event not being a qualifying opportunity for Nationals this year, Pymble won all three age categories, Junior, Intermediate and Senior.
NSW All Schools Championships
The year finished with the NSW All Schools Championships where 25 Pymble students represented the College. This enabled many athletes to compete for the first time since Nationals in April. Congratulations to the Pymble team for winning 16 medals in total throughout the four-day competition.
The Athletics girls showed persistence and grit in a challenging season that tested not only our physical, but our mental toughness. The students should be proud of their motivation whilst participating in online challenges with our brilliant coaches. The emerging talent and developing resilience will carry these girls in their athletics futures and further endeavours!
Marguerite Andrews, Captain of Athletics – Track Ella Koster, Captain of Athletics – Field
ATHLETICS AWARDS
Year 12 Silver
Kailyn Joseph, Ella Koster Blue
Marguerite Andrews
Year 11
Silver
Sienna Bond, Olivia Inkster, Brianna Worsfold Blue Cayla Phillips
Year 10
Blue
Abigail Ballhausen, Rhedyn Wong
Year 9
Silver Sarah Baker Blue
Amber Halliday, Georgia Phillips
Year 8
Silver
Samara Bond, Grace Townsend, Sybella Warton
Blue
Tessa Newitt, Sophia Slater
Year 7
Silver Grace Beck Blue Matilda Harrison
SECONDARY SCHOOL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL RESULTS
12 Years 100m
Matilda Harrison 1st 13.7
Abby Smith 2nd 15.52
Anita Clark 3rd 16.71
12 Years 200m
Matilda Harrison 1st 29.65
Abby Smith 2nd 33.85
12 Years 800m
Matilda Harrison 1st 3:10.04
Abby Smith 2nd 3:10.67
Imogen Wu 3rd 3:30.51
12 Years 80m Hurdles
Matilda Harrison 1st 16.26 Abby Smith 2nd 19.03
12 Years Long Jump
Matilda Harrison 1st 4.01m
Abby Smith 2nd 3.44m
12 Years Shot Put
Abby Smith 1st 5.94m
Matilda Harrison 2nd 5.77m
13 Years 100m
Grace Townsend 1st 13.87 Winter Shirvington 2nd 14.29 Elizabeth Bailey 3rd 14.61
13 Years 200m
Grace Townsend 1st 28.81
Winter Shirvington 2nd 30.76 Elizabeth Bailey 3rd 31.4
13 Years 800m
Grace Townsend 1st 2:40.2
Grace Beck 2nd 2:46.1 Elizabeth Yates 3rd 2:51.1
13 Years 80m Hurdles
Grace Townsend 1st 12.9
Diana Attinger 2nd 14.0
Siena Pascoe 3rd 15.3
13 Years Long Jump
Grace Townsend 1st 4.77m
Sophie Laing 2nd 3.94m
Winter Shirvington 3rd 3.93m
13 Years Shot Put
Ariana Ziolkowski 1st 8.26m
Mika Naito 2nd 8.10m
Alison Baxter 3rd 7.62m
14 Years 100m
Samara Bond 1st 13.04
Amber Halliday 2nd 13.91 Louise Lovell 3rd 14.26
14 Years 200m
Samara Bond 1st 28.11
Amber Halliday 2nd 29.37 Sarah Baker 3rd 29.62
14 Years 800m
Amber Halliday 1st 2:26.9 Sarah Baker 2nd 2:27.6 Sophia Slater 3rd 2:30.5
14 Years 90m Hurdles
Louise Lovell 1st 16.24 Emilia Massaro 2nd 17.51 Sarah Baker 3rd 17.55
14 Years Long Jump
Samara Bond 1st 4.71m Sarah Baker 2nd 4.22m Amber Halliday 3rd 4.17m
14 Years Shot Put
Sarah Lovell 1st 8.93m
Jessica Tran 2nd 8.87m Izabella Ziolkowski 3rd 8.82m
15 Years 100m
Nicole McCrostie 1st 13.61
Jessica Woo 2nd 14.05 Georgia Phillips 3rd 14.12
15 Years 200m
Jessica Woo 1st 29.59 Georgia Phillips 2nd 29.73 Nicole McCrostie 3rd 30.71
15 Years 800m
Georgia Phillips 1st 2:29.9
Abigail Ballhausen 2nd 2:31.9 Nicole McCrostie 3rd 2:52.2
15 Years 90m Hurdles
Nicole McCrostie 1st 14.57
Jessica Colbran 2nd 16.03 Georgia Phillips 3rd 16.71
15 Years Long Jump
Nicole McCrostie 1st 4.80m Georgia Phillips 2nd 4.55m Jessica Colbran 3rd 3.62m
15 Years Shot Put
Sophie Livingstone 1st 10.48m Jessica Colbran 2nd 9.58m Megan Abdo 3rd 8.37m
Athletics
SECONDARY SCHOOL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL RESULTS
16 Years 100m
Olivia Inkster 1st 12.38
Cayla Phillips 2nd 12.98 Sienna Bond 3rd 13.07
16 Years 200m
Cayla Phillips 1st 27.05
Amalia Patterson 2nd 28.67 Brianna Worsfold 3rd 29.25
16 Years 800m
Nea Shingler 1st 2:35.9
Caitlyn Tan 2nd 2:39.2 Sienna Stephens 3rd 2:39.5
16 Years 100m Hurdles
Sienna Bond 1st 15.6 Brianna Worsfold 2nd 17.06
16 Years Long Jump
Sienna Bond 1st 5.49m Brianna Worsfold 2nd 4.45m Wynter O’Regan 3rd 4.10m
16 Years Shot Put
Brianna Worsfold 1st 12.13m Georgia Spanswick 2nd 10.87m Rhedyn Wong 3rd 8.96m
17 Years 100m
Isobel Gosper 1st 13.31 Emily Bannister 2nd 14.04
17 Years 200m
Isobel Gosper 1st 28.16
17 Years 800m
Jessica Bird 1st 2:41.1
Kristen Cook 2nd 2:44.0 Jessica Tyson 3rd 2:56.5
17 Years Shot Put
Philippa Austin 1st 8.77m
Amelia Hinrichsen 2nd 7.77m Emily Bannister 3rd 7.66m
18 Years 100m
Alice Dixon 1st 12.83
Marguerite Andrews 2nd 12.99 Ella Koster 3rd 13.61
18 Years 200m
Alice Dixon 1st 26.28 Ella Koster 2nd 28.4
18 Years 800m
Ella Koster 1st 2:49.1
Georgina Seymour 2nd 2:56.6 Samantha Guthrie 3rd 3:39.3
18 Years Long Jump
Ella Koster 1st 4.84m
18 Years Shot Put
Ella Koster 1st 8.62m
Tiarn Wilesmith 2nd 7.57m Mikayla Arthur 3rd 7.52m
Junior 400m
Amber Halliday 1st 1:01.8 Sarah Baker 2nd 1:03.2 Samara Bond 3rd 1:03.4
Junior 1,500m
Sarah Baker 1st 5:08.0 Sophia Slater 2nd 5:18.5 Tessa Newitt 3rd 5:18.9
Junior High Jump
Grace Townsend 1st 1.50m
Sophie Laing 2nd 1.40m Amber Halliday 3rd 1.35m
Junior Discus
Louise Lovell 1st 20.72m Sarah Baker 2nd 17.72m Lucinda Middleton 3rd 16.48m
Junior Javelin
Louise Lovell 1st 23.32m
Lucinda Middleton 2nd 20.20m Sarah Baker 3rd 15.82m
Intermediate 400m
Olivia Inkster 1st 1:03.3 Nicole McCrostie 2nd 1:06.1 Georgia Phillips 3rd 1:06.1
Intermediate 1,500m
Abigail Ballhausen 1st 5:13.1
Caitlyn Tan 2nd 5:22.1 Georgia Phillips 3rd 5:35.0
Intermediate High Jump
Cayla Phillips 1st 1.60m
Emilia Ruscio 2nd 1.50m Georgia Stuart 3rd 1.45m
Intermediate Discus
Brianna Worsfold 1st 38.71m Rhedyn Wong 2nd 29.82m Georgia Spanswick 3rd 19.88m
Intermediate Javelin
Rhedyn Wong 1st 34.06m Sophie Livingstone 2nd 33.24m Brianna Worsfold 3rd 30.40m
Senior 400m
Ella Koster 1st 1:06.2
Senior High Jump
Ella Koster 1st 1.50m
Senior Discus
Shreya Rutnam 1st 14.42m
Senior Javelin
Ella Koster 1st 32.48m Shreya Rutnam 2nd 20.66m
ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVES
NSW All Schools Representatives
Sarah Baker, Samara Bond, Sienna Bond, Olivia Inkster, Sybella Warton
NSW Representatives
Marguerite Andrews, Abigail Ballhausen, Grace Beck, Amber Halliday, Matilda Harrison, Kailyn Joseph, Ella Koster, Tessa Newitt, Cayla Phillips, Georgia Phillips, Sophia Slater, Grace Townsend, Rhedyn Wong, Brianna Worsfold
JUNIOR ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVES
Pymble Representatives
Amelia Bicego, Amalia Bond, Christina Borocz, Hayley Browne, Greta Campbell, Adele Cassidy, Lydia Chen, Aria Cheng, Florence Cheng, Eve Clark, Edith Cullinane, Emma Deere, Gemma Dixon, Heidi Ferreira, Harriet Gregory, Cindy Jin, Audrey Lin, Lily Mancey, Harriet Murphy, Maya Ostapenko, Amélie Rahme, Sophie Rigg, Charlotte Sadler, Charlie Slater, Jiayi Thong, Claudia Wyatt, Arin Yoon, Victoria Yu, Georgia Yuen, Vivian Zhang, Amber Zhou
NSW ALL SCHOOLS ATHLETICS RESULTS
Grace Beck
14 Years 3,000m 17th
Selina Huang
13 Years Javelin 27th
Lucinda Middleton
13 Years Hammer Throw 10th
13 Years Shot Put 20th
Grace Townsend
13 Years 400m 4th
13 Years 80m Hurdles 2nd
14 Years 200m Hurdles 2nd
13 Years High Jump 2nd
13 Years Long Jump 3rd
13 Years Triple Jump 4th
Samara Bond
14 Years 100m 8th
14 Years 200m 6th
14 Years 400m 2nd
Sybella Warton
12 to 14 Years AMB 100m 2nd
12 to 14 Years AMB 200m 2nd
Mia Sams
14 Years 1,500m 13th
14 Years 800m 11th
Sophia Slater
14 Years 1,500m 9th
14 Years 2,000m Steeple Chase 2nd
Tessa Newitt
14 Years 1,500m 24th
14 Years 800m 16th
Louise Lovell
14 Years 200m Hurdles 11th
14 Years Shot Put 10th
14 Years Javelin 8th
14 Years 90m Hurdles 11th
14 Years Long Jump 9th
Sarah Lovell
14 Years 200m Hurdles 14th
14 Years Shot Put 5th
14 Years Javelin 3rd
14 Years 90m Hurdles 18th
14 Years Long Jump 17th
Sarah Baker
14 Years 3,000m 2nd
Georgia Phillips
15 Years 1,500m 7th
15 Years 2,000m Steeple Chase 2nd
15 Years 3,000m 6th
Sophie Livingstone
15 Years Shot Put 9th
15 Years Javelin 6th
Caitlyn Tan
16 Years 3,000m 3rd
Gabriella Taylor
16 Years 100m 5th
16 Years 200m 4th
Rhedyn Wong
16 Years Discus 9th
16 Years Javelin 2nd
Yi Ying Lim
15 to 16 Years AMB 800m 4th
Amelia Sim
16 Years Discus 7th
Brianna Worsfold
16 Years Discus 3rd 16 Years Shot Put 5th 16 Years Javelin 7th
Cayla Phillips
17 Years 400m 5th
Georgia Spanswick
16 Years Javelin 12th
17 Years Shot Put 5th
Olivia Inkster
16 Years 100m 2nd 16 Years 200m 3rd
Sienna Bond
16 Years 100m Hurdles 2nd 16 Years Long Jump 1st
Badminton
BADMINTON CAPTAIN’S REPORT
During Term 1 2021, 16 Pymble teams competed in the 13th season of the Loreto Normanhurst Badminton competition, held on Saturday mornings. Of these teams, 12 made it to the grand finals/playoffs which was a significant achievement!
Our teams performed exceptionally this season, with Pymble 4 and Pymble 13 coming first in their divisions, Pymble 1, Pymble 3, Pymble 9, Pymble 10 and Pymble 12 coming second, Pymble 7, Pymble 8, Pymble 15 coming third and Pymble 14 and Pymble 16 finishing in fourth place. These outstanding results were an accurate reflection of the hard work our girls put in during training.
Our teams performed exceptionally this season
Thanks
Thank you to all the girls who participated in Badminton. It was great to see everyone’s smiling faces at training every week and the enthusiasm was contagious. All teams demonstrated great Pymble spirit by having the courage to give badminton a go, caring for teammates and those around you, integrity through good sportsmanship, respecting your coaches, your opponents and fellow peers and finally, taking responsibility by turning up to training each week and eagerly helping to pack up afterwards. Everyone should be very proud of themselves!
Keep up the good work and best of luck in the future!
Melanie Daixing, Captain of Badminton
BADMINTON RESULTS
Pymble 1 2nd Karen Xiao, Melanie Daixing, Anna Wang, Isabella Cameron
Pymble 2 8th Mia Credaro, Samadhi Siriniwasa, Rosie Le, Samira Toor
Pymble 3 2nd Elina Wu, Alice Liu, Nida Mehta
Pymble 4 1st
Caitlyn Kim, Tahmara Thomas, Hayley Zhou
Pymble 9 2nd Yuki Wang, Allison Wang, Emma Cheng, Lily Huang
Pymble 10 2nd
Kexuan Chong, Stephanie Feng, Jasmine Li, Tanvi Thomas
Pymble 11 5th Sophie Toma, Mulan Xu, Yu Zhou, Celine Cao
Pymble 12 2nd Rae Liu, Katrina Lin, Season Lam, Daisy Le
Melanie Daixing, Year 12
BADMINTON AWARDS
Year 12 Red
Melanie Daixing, Karen Xiao
Year 11 Red
Mia Credaro, Rosie Le, Samadhi Sirniwasa, Samira Toor, Anna Wang
Year 10 Red
Isabella Cameron
Year 9 Blue
Tania Tian, Emily Yang, Carly Yiu Red
Emma Cheng, Lily Huang, Sophia Ji, Christy Ju, Angelina Lee, Deborah Lee, Yuki Wang
Pymble 5
8th Gloria Shrestha, Hanna Cheung, Selina Hsieh, Annie Chen
Pymble 6 5th
Harriette Choi, Celina Sun, Alyssa Cheong
Pymble 7 3rd
Emily Yang, Jackie Tsang, Tania Tian, Carly Yiu
Pymble 8 3rd Sophia Ji, Christy Ju, Angelina Lee, Deborah Lee
Pymble 13
Diana Daixing, Louise Kim, Ang-Ya Koo, Ashley Macdonald
1st
Pymble 14 4th Nicole Han, Fiona Tsang, Kitty He, Jenny Xu
Pymble 15 3rd
Amber Wang, Nichole Ma, Kiki Chen, Mea Shires
Pymble 16 4th
Isabella Liu, Naomi Hsieh, Sherry Yang, Ruth Shen
Year 8
Red
Allison Wang Blue
Jackie Tsang Year 7 Red
Nicole Han, Kitty He, Fiona Tsang, Jenny Xu
SENIOR FIRSTS
JUNIOR FIRSTS
BASKETBALL CAPTAIN’S REPORT
Basketball at Pymble is an exceptional program that offers enhancement in skill, fitness and friendships. For the 2021 season, there were 21 teams involved in the IGSA competition and the girls displayed commitment, spirit and eagerness towards the game.
In Term 1, a pre-season skills clinic dedicated to Year 7 students was held with an aim to further develop their skills and knowledge prior to the competition in Term 2. Whether you were a beginner, intermediate or advanced player, the sessions were always fun, engaging and highly rewarding.
Games
The IGSA competition commenced on Saturday 24 April. The games were played at Pymble on our amazing indoor and outdoor courts, and at other sports venues across Sydney. Thank you to our maintenance team at school who cared for these facilities, your work was appreciated.
Boarders’ Week was in May during which we held a Day Girls versus Boarders match. The Boarders won the game with a score of 32 to 19!
Thanks
The girls improved throughout the season and were assisted by their extremely respected and highly talented coaches. Thank you to the coaches for their hard work, dedication and patience, we were so grateful. Thank you to Mr Garrad, the Basketball Co-ordinator, who organised events, players and coaches. Finally, thank you to the parents, friends and family for their support and attendance at our weekend games, we loved our big crowds.
I hope the players enjoyed their season of Basketball in 2021, made friends and enhanced their skills. Good luck to girls participating in the 2022 season, I am sure it will be a blast!
Basketball
BASKETBALL RESULTS
Pymble 1
1st
Madeleine Coman, Alice Hillsdon, Opal Bird, Natasha Newham, Lucia O’Dea, Amarley Bron, Chloe Hanlan, Louisa Mitchell, Grace Whyte, Abigail Tyler
Pymble 2
8th
Philippa Begg, Rachel Cunningham, Serena Leung, Ruby Nicholas, Olivia Ogg, Jolie Pang, Ruby Thomson, Layla Farook, Laura Legovich, Camilla Reynolds, Jana Chan
Pymble 3
Gemma Hodge, Jessica Munk, Isabella Sun, Madison Gram, Emily Horne, Hayley Leighton, Aneeka Reilly, Philippa Austin, Rianna Bhat, Ami Naito
Pymble 13
Phoebe Bucknell, Ashley Chow, Ashley Macdonald, Cameron Stoodley, Shirley Xu, Lucinda Bennett, Georgia Bicego, Giaan Jackson, Angelina Lee
Pymble 14
Diana Attinger, Alice Beveridge, Lavan Cardo, Stephanie Feng, Victoria Marsh, Melanie Tan, Emika Tsumura, Isabella Yu
1st
1st
7th
Pymble 15
8th
Jennifer Cloros, Claire Dickson, Aysel Gupta, Ruthia Moore, Nityasree Viswanathan, Allison Wang, Angelin Wu, Sonya Zlatanovic
Pymble 4 7th
Emma Ridley, Sanah Goklaney, Angelina Lu, Georgina Pechan, Kasie Chan, Felicity Chu, Katherine Yan, Jade Potts, Elina Wu
Pymble 5
2nd
Anna Hong, Sarah Chan, Stephanie Chan, Ashley Chen, Bethany Fratzia, Rachel Kang, Rose Tate, Hannah Grogan, Emily Oppenheim, Lauren Sevil
Pymble 6
7th
Lucy Bell, Hanna Cheung, Maya Hu, Audrey Lau, Matilda Barwick, Sarah Thornton, Christina Wu, Emma Wang, Elise Ovens, Kashika Goswami, Isobel Colvin
Pymble 7 7th
Safia Arslan, Dhiya Arun, Lisa Chen, Selina Hsieh, Esther Jeong, Nida Mehta, Sarah Middleton, Gloria Shrestha, Emma Toynton, Maira Waqar, Hayley Zhou
Pymble 8
6th
Lina Lin, Laura Papworth, Lilian Jones, Elizabeth Glenn, Sophie Chamberlain, Mia Smal, Olivia Standfield, Claudia Vowels, Victoria Graves, Jennifer Huang, Jemma Baldwin
Pymble 9
1st
Tully Black, Mika Naito, Ella O’Dea, Tully O’Regan, Annabel Taylor, Ariana Ziolkowski, Izabella Ziolkowski, Lucy Pennington, Ava Thomson, Yvette Volk
Pymble 10
Annabel Charnock, Khatthaliya Elliott, Phoebe Handley, Anna Drabsch, Billie Fisher, Sophie Livingstone, Jacinta Martin, Meredith Reynolds, Claire Spring, Kate Thorpe
Pymble 11
4th
7th
Emily Rothery, Alessandra Braysich, Lucy Chen, Giselle Garey, Lydia Heazlewood-Lee, Tiyana Jayaweera, Arya Kalantri, Madeline Lawson, Siena Novak, Saskia Raymond
Pymble 12
8th
Sienna Edwards, Isabella Stalley, Victoria Burton, Annabel Davidson, Sofia Laftsidis, Georgia Mandalakoudis, Isabella Rudd
Pymble 16
2nd Holly Hogan, Abigail McKinnon, Hannah Miao, Arabella Murphy, Scarlet Olesen, Zara Pattinson, Johanna Ricketts, Winter Shirvington, Gemma Stanbury, Elizabeth Yates
Pymble 17 5th
Sienna Gortan, Tessa Gregory-Reid, Ruby Lyons, Matilda Harrison, Cerys McKinnon, Claire Murphy, Maithili Nagarajah, Isabella Pak, Rabiah Singh, Juliette Browne
Pymble 18 5th Caitlyn Bilney, Madison Donald, Holly Graham, Selina Huang, Elke Payne, Sophie Ribeira, Grace Santoso, Arabella Wheatley, Sophie Zheng, Cindy Zhou
Pymble 19
7th
Isabella Attard, Katherine Pan, Mea Shires, Ananya Upmanyue, Kaitlin Vigne, Lisa Wang, Amy Wang, Angela Xenofontos, Yilin Xie, Kaylee Ng
Pymble 20
6th Chloe Brown, Matilda Hawkins, Ashleigh Goh, Angela Karelas, Kate Toomey, Matilda Harrison, Emily Zhong, Anaïs Vander, Kristine Weng
Pymble 21
1st Lily Cao, Anita Clark, Helen Huang, Rose Kirkby, Maggie Morgan, Jacqueline Wang, Cindy Xu, Jocelyn Ying, Arini Yellamaraju
BASKETBALL REPRESENTATIVES
Pymble Representatives
Opal Bird, Grace Whyte
IGSA Representatives
Opal Bird, Grace Whyte
CIS Representative Grace Whyte
SENIOR FIRSTS
Back Row: Madeleine Coman, Grace Whyte, Opal Bird, Louisa Mitchell, Alice Hillsdon, Miss Rachel Maenpaa (Coach)
Front Row: Natasha Newham, Chloe Hanlan, Abigail Tyler, Amarley Bron, Lucia O’Dea
JUNIOR FIRSTS
Back Row: Izabella Ziolkowski, Annabel Taylor, Mika Naito, Ava Thomson, Yvette Volk
Front Row: Tully Black, Ariana Ziolkowski, Ella O’Dea, Tully O’Regan, Lucy Pennington
Back Row: Mr Cameron Williams (Coach), Arabella Murphy, Gemma Stanbury, Scarlet Olesen, Holly Hogan, Elizabeth Yates
Front Row: Winter Shirvington, Zara Pattinson, Johanna Ricketts, Abigail McKinnon, Hannah Miao
Basketball
JUNIOR SCHOOL BASKETBALL REPORT
This year Basketball was altered a little bit due to COVID-19. The girls did regular training on Tuesday at the Liane Tooth Field in teams from the previous year. They also played Saturday games between the two teams at 8.00am.
There were lots of different skills learned, such as dribbling, passing and shooting. We also learned agility skills to help us dodge our opponents. The girls still made it fun for each other and the coaches taught lots of new skills. The girls’ parents weren’t allowed to watch the Saturday games, but the girls still performed very well and had lots of fun.
IPSHA BASKETBALL PARTICIPANTS
Year 6
Kayra Amir, Charlotte Blaiklock, Katherine Boyce, Hayley Browne, Amelia Carlan, Emily Chiang, Ella Handley-Greaves, Zara Kinniburgh, Sanaya Lakhani, Lily Mancey, Harriet Murphy, Sophie Ngai, Irisara O'Brien, Eden Orena Barlin, Annie Pennington, Claudia Stretton, Sophia Vajedsamiei, Kyraa Vig, Varada Vinay, Ruby Watson, Vivian Wei, Addison Woods, Arin Yoon, Isabelle Younger, Catherine Zeng, Nicole Zhang, Isabella Zhang, Jacquelyn Zhu
Year 5
Amara Ahmed, Eve Clark, Blair Elliott, Isabella Eum, Emily Finucane, Natasha Horner, Rose Jones, Mea McBurney, Aahana Paliwal, Abby Pisani, Eleanor Rowe, Alina Shi, Yuna Shin, Caitlin Stoodley, Pia Vandeleur, Jasmine Wu, Claudia Wyatt
Year 4
Isabella Afarin, Madeleine Birrell, Adele Cassidy, Olivia Chan, Edith Cullinane, Kiara Excell, Eloise Gavagna, Xanthe Munroe, Diyana Palihawadana, Chloé Shires, Mikayla Sun, Ruby Thomas, Melanie Xu, Victoria Xu, Amber Zhou, Rebecca Zhou
Year 3
Madison Burns, Alice Jiang, Wendy Pan, Emma Popli, Riyanna Sawhney, Carrington Shelmerdine, Savannah Sherlock, Bethany Tucker, Chenxi Wang, Amari Wilson, Chloe Yi, Zara Younger, Victoria Yu
Cricket
CRICKET CAPTAIN’S REPORT
The Term 1 season of cricket at Pymble was one of excitement. The teams were enthused to play the season after the summer school holidays. Pymble entered two teams in the North Shore competition in the Under 15 Years and Under 13 Years categories.
The terrible weather in Term 1 resulted in a few games being cancelled, including the Junior and Senior semi-finals which resulted in the Junior girls ending their season. The 2021 Under 13 season was defined by skill and a fantastic attitude towards the sport. We look forward to watching these girls develop their skills as they continue to play for Pymble
The Senior team was defeated by Castle Hill in the Plate Cup grand final, yet their efforts should be commended. Kara Lotter, Year 9, Annabel Maple-Brown, Year 11, Jasmine David, Year 12, and Victoria Marsh, Year 8, took spectacular wickets, and the players demonstrated an enthusiasm that was valuable to the team in terms of their batting and teamwork. Congratulations to the team for going up against skilled clubs and for a noticeable improvement during the season and their support of each other.
Thank you to the coaches and parents for their support of Pymble Cricket. I am proud to have been the 2021 Captain of Cricket. Thank you to the parents for their contribution to volunteer their time to score or umpire or be present to support the girls. Thank you to the coaches for their continuous inspiration and motivation for the teams to strive for the highest.
The skill development that both the Junior and Senior girls demonstrated during the season was impressive. An incremental number of wickets was taken each game and the accuracy and pace of bowling improved significantly. The future of Pymble Cricket is one of excitement as we look to expand and draw attention to the achievements of women in their cricketing careers.
CRICKET RESULTS
Pymble 1
2nd
Victoria Graves, Lihini Jayasekara, Annabel Maple-Brown, Jasmine David, Victoria Marsh, Kara Lotter, Lauren Carruthers, Arabella Handley, Chloe Bookless
Pymble 2
Dezi Magann-Jones, Amelia Young, Arya Kalantri, Anna Drabsch, Shanya Parti, Ollisha Muthukuda, Charlotte Carruthers, Aadya Singh
CRICKET REPRESENTATIVES
CIS Representatives
Ciara Gibson, Shivani Mehta
7th
Victoria Graves, Captain of CricketVictoria Graves, Year 12
The skill development that both the Junior and Senior girls demonstrated during the season was impressive.
Back Row: Lauren Carruthers, Annabel Maple-Brown, Chloe Bookless, Ms Mikaela Turik (Coach)
Front Row: Kara Lotter, Victoria Graves, Jasmine David, Lihini Jayasekara
Absent: Arabella Handley, Victoria Marsh
Shanya Parti, Amelia Young, Charlotte Carruthers, Anna Drabsch, Aadya Singh
Absent: Arya Kalantri, Ollisha Muthukuda
Cross Country
CROSS COUNTRY CAPTAIN’S REPORT
The 2021 Pymble Cross Country squad consisted of an amazing group of girls that were dedicated, hard-working and supportive of each other. The team trained and performed at such a high standard throughout the year and each girl should be proud of her hard work and achievements. I was a part of the Cross Country squad for six years and I was so proud to be appointed 2021 Cross Country Captain.
Secondary School Cross Country Carnival
We started this year’s Cross Country season on Thursday 25 February with the Secondary School Cross Country Carnival held on the College grounds. We were very lucky with the weather, with the rain holding out until just after the last race. It was fantastic to see hundreds of girls walk, skip and run the course, showing House spirit and dedication. Goodlet and AFL won their categories. Special congratulations to the girls who placed first in their age group.
IGSA Cross Country Carnival
After the school carnival and a series of selection trials, 56 girls travelled to Frensham to compete at the annual IGSA Cross Country competition. The girls represented Pymble with pride, having trained with great dedication under the leadership of head coach Ms Walsham leading up to the event. Every girl and supporter put in their best effort, resulting in Pymble placing first overall. It was an amazing achievement for the squad. A special shoutout to the 14 Years team who placed first in their age group.
NSWCIS Cross Country Championships
Following the IGSA carnival, 18 Pymble girls were selected to compete in the NSWCIS Championships at Eastern Creek. All girls performed exceptionally well on the tough and very muddy course. Special congratulations to Abigail Ballhausen, Year 10, and Sophia Slater, Year 8, who placed first. Congratulations to the following girls who were selected in the NSWCIS team to compete at NSW All Schools, which unfortunately did not go ahead due to COVID-19: Sarah Baker, Year 9, Sophia Slater, Year 8, Mia Sams, Year 8, Abigail Ballhausen, Year 10, Georgia Phillips, Year 9, Nea Shingler, Year 11, and Annabel Maple-Brown, Year 11.
Thank You
I would like to say a big thank you to the entire Cross Country squad. This season would not have been possible without the encouragement and guidance of Coaching Director Ms Walsham, Sports Co-ordinator Mrs Edwards and their team of coaches who were dedicated to helping the girls achieve their best. These amazing Pymble coaches and staff ensured that whether training for IGSA, general fitness or for fun, each girl’s goals were met with fun and friendship. It was an honour and joy to be Cross Country Captain. I will certainly miss such a wonderful group of girls and coaches.
Samantha Guthrie, Captain of Cross Country
Cross Country
CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL RESULTS
14 to 18 Years
Abigail Ballhausen 1st Sarah Baker 2nd Nea Shingler 3rd
12 to 13 Years
Grace Beck 1st Arabella Murphy 2nd Elizabeth Yates 3rd
12 Years
Audrey An 1st Abby Smith 2nd Imogen Wu 3rd
13 Years
Grace Beck 1st Arabella Handley 2nd Elizabeth Yates 3rd
14 Years
Sarah Baker 1st Sophia Slater 2nd Mia Sams 3rd
15 Years
Abigail Ballhausen 1st Georgia Phillips 2nd Ellie Beck 3rd
16 Years
Nea Shingler 1st Caitlyn Tan 2nd Lucia O’Dea 3rd
17 Years
Jessica Bird 1st Jessica Tyson 2nd Annabel Maple-Brown 3rd
18 Years
Nicola Farquharson 1st Samantha Guthrie 2nd Georgina Seymour 3rd
IGSA CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS
12 Years 3km
Abby Smith 9th Audrey An 16th Laura Makeham 36th Imogen Wu 41st Matilda Harrison 42nd Mea Shires 70th Alia Curren 80th Maggie Morgan 81st
13 Years 3km
Grace Beck 2nd Grace Townsend 10th Elizabeth Yates 23rd Elizabeth Bailey 30th Katherine Hart 33rd Phoebe Paleologos 38th Charlotte Tideman 82nd Winter Shirvington 92nd
14 Years 4km
Sophia Slater 4th Sarah Baker 5th Mia Sams 6th Tessa Newitt 9th Amber Halliday 15th Arabella Cox 19th Aimi Jenkin 24th Tully Black 25th
15 Years 4km
Abigail Ballhausen 2nd Georgia Phillips 7th Ellie Beck 20th Jessica Slater 24th Mia Booth 50th Meredith Reynolds 52nd Gigi Spiller 53rd Alexandra Hyett 70th
16 Years 4km
Nea Shingler 5th Caitlyn Tan 15th Alice Windybank 24th Sienna Stephens 25th Rhiannon Castle 36th Lucia O'Dea 39th Emma Saunders 40th Jessica Needham 41st
17 Years 4km
Annabel Maple-Brown 10th Jessica Bird 13th Jessica Tyson 30th Angelica Tan 45th Kristen Cook 62nd Hannah Edwards 81st Mia Baily 90th Sofia Massaro 100th
18 Years 6km
Ella Koster 20th Samantha Guthrie 22nd Bo Burton 23rd Georgina Seymour 25th Nicola Farquharson 33rd Samantha Connellan 52nd Shivani Mehta 64th Brielle Castle 69th
Team Placings
11-12 Years Team 6th 13 Years Team 3rd 14 Years Team 1st 15 Years Team 2nd 16 Years Team 2nd 17 Years Team 4th 18 Years Team 6th
Cross Country
CIS CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS
Individual Results
13 Years 3km
Grace Beck 14th Grace Townsend 32nd
14 Years 4km
Sophia Slater 1st Sarah Baker 8th Mia Sams 10th Tessa Newitt 22nd Arabella Cox 16th
15 Years 4km
Abigail Ballhausen 1st Georgia Phillips 5th Jessica Slater 28th Meredith Reynolds 41st
16 Years 4km
Nea Shingler 3rd Caitlyn Tan 11th Sienna Stephens 36th Alice Windybank 26th
17 Years 4km
Annabel Maple-Brown 10th 18 Years 6km Georgina Seymour 23rd
Multi Class 3km Yi Ying Lim 1st
Team Results
14 Years Team 1st
Sarah Baker, Sophia Slater, Mia Sams, Arabella Cox
15 Years Team 1st
Abigail Ballhausen, Georgia Phillips, Jessica Slater, Meredith Reynolds
16 Years Team 1st
Nea Shingler, Caitlyn Tan, Sienna Stephens, Alice Windybank
CROSS COUNTRY AWARDS
Year 12 Blue
Bo Burton, Brielle Castle, Samantha Connellan, Hannah Edwards, Nicola Farquharson, Samantha Guthrie, Ella Koster, Shivani Mehta, Georgina Seymour, Jessica Tyson
Year 11 Blue
Mia Baily, Jessica Bird, Kristen Cook, Annabel Maple-Brown, Sofia Massaro, Jessica Needham, Nea Shingler, Angelica Tan, Caitlyn Tan
Year 10
Blue
Abigail Ballhausen, Rhiannon Castle, Yi Ying Lim, Lucia O’Dea, Emma Saunders, Jessica Slater, Sienna Stephens, Alice Windybank
Year 9 Blue
Sarah Baker, Ellie Beck, Mia Booth, Amber Halliday, Alexandra Hyett, Georgia Phillips, Meredith Reynolds, Gigi Spiller
Year 8
Blue
Tully Black, Arabella Cox, Aimi Jenkin, Tessa Newitt, Phoebe Paleologos, Mia Sams, Sophia Slater, Grace Townsend
Year 7
Blue
Audrey An, Grace Beck, Alia Curren, Elizabeth Bailey, Matilda Harrison, Katherine Hart, Laura Makeham, Maggie Morgan, Mea Shires, Winter Shirvington, Abby Smith, Charlotte Tidemann, Imogen Wu, Elizabeth Yates
CROSS COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVES
Pymble Representatives
Audrey An, Elizabeth Bailey, Mia Baily, Sarah Baker, Abigail Ballhausen, Ellie Beck, Grace Beck, Jessica Bird, Tully Black, Mia Booth, Bo Burton, Brielle Castle, Rhiannon Castle, Samantha Connellan, Kristen Cook, Arabella Cox, Alia Curren, Hannah Edwards, Nicola Farquharson, Samantha Guthrie, Amber Halliday, Matilda Harrison, Katherine Hart, Alexandra Hyett, Aimi Jenkin, Ella Koster, Laura Makeham, Annabel Maple-Brown, Sofia Massaro, Shivani Mehta, Maggie Morgan, Jessica Needham, Tessa Newitt, Lucia O’Dea, Phoebe Paleologos, Georgia Phillips, Meredith Reynolds, Mia Sams, Emma Saunders, Georgina Seymour, Nea Shingler, Mea Shires, Winter Shirvington, Jessica Slater, Sophia Slater, Abby Smith, Gigi Spiller, Sienna Stephens, Angelica Tan, Caitlyn Tan, Charlotte Tidemann, Grace Townsend, Jessica Tyson, Alice Windybank, Imogen Wu, Elizabeth Yates
IGSA Representatives
Sarah Baker, Abigail Ballhausen, Grace Beck, Amber Halliday, Yi Ying Lim, Annabel Maple-Brown, Tessa Newitt, Georgia Phillips, Mia Sams, Georgina Seymour, Nea Shingler, Jessica Slater, Sophia Slater, Sienna Stephens, Caitlyn Tan, Grace Townsend, Alice Windybank
CIS Representatives
Sarah Baker, Yi Ying Lim, Annabel Maple-Brown, Georgia Phillips, Nea Shingler
Cross Country
JUNIOR SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY REPORT
This year’s Cross Country was incredibly fun. It was the first year that we were able to celebrate the race in our eight new Houses. The competition was red hot between all the colourful teams that filled the Main Oval.
Despite the initial disappointment of the race being delayed a few weeks due to a big storm, and spots of rain as we walked up to the starting line, it was a perfect day for the event. It was not too hot, too cold or too wet!
We both participated in the ten-year-old race. It was quite tiring, but still a lot of fun. It was a massive two kilometres in length weaving around the College from front to back!
We both loved running around the school and trying to make the finishing line. We enjoyed catching up to friends, the happiness of finishing and of course, getting our ice block and eating it in the shade. Overall, this year’s Cross Country was the best yet.
Fiona Wu and Arabella Hoang, Year 4JUNIOR SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL
Congratulations to all girls who ran in the Years 2 to 6 Cross Country Carnival held on Wednesday 10 March. This was our first carnival in our new Houses. There was fabulous House spirit, as well as excellent participation, with an overwhelming number of girls competing for their House. A special thank you to Mrs Edwards, Ms Walsham and the fantastic sport staff who helped make the carnival such an enjoyable experience for all involved.
RESULTS
Winning House Goodlet
Junior Champion
Gemma Dixon
Senior Champion Maya Ostapenko
8 Years Champion Lakshi Rajeev
9 Years Champion Amélie Rahme
10 Years Champion Gemma Dixon
11 Years Champion Claudia Wyatt
12 Years Champion Maya Ostapenko
Year 2 Fun Run
Audrey Chen 1st Loriah Zhang 2nd Nouvelle Nicholson 3rd
8/9 Years 2km
Amélie Rahme 1st Chenxi Wang 2nd Imogen Martin 3rd
10 Years 2km
Gemma Dixon 1st Adele Cassidy 2nd Jiayi Thong 3rd
11 Years 3km
Claudia Wyatt 1st Amalia Bond 2nd Elizabeth Macpherson 3rd
12 Years 3km Maya Ostapenko 1st Hayley Browne 2nd Saja Abdel-Megeed 3rd
JUNIOR SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVES
Pymble Representatives
Saja Abdel-Megeed, Amalia Bond, Hayley Browne, Adele Cassidy, Eve Clark, Gemma Dixon, Willow Gerreyn, Elizabeth Macpherson, Lily Mancey, Imogen Martin, Harriet Murphy, Maya Ostapenko, Amélie Rahme, Lakshi Rajeev, Charlotte Sadler, Jiayi Thong, Chenxi Wang, Isabella Woodall, Claudia Wyatt, Sofia Zeng, Aurora Zhang
IPSHA Representatives
Saja Abdel-Megeed, Amalia Bond, Hayley Browne, Gemma Dixon, Elizabeth Macpherson, Maya Ostapenko, Claudia Wyatt, Aurora Zhang
CIS Representatives
Gemma Dixon, Maya Ostapenko, Claudia Wyatt
Diving
DIVING CAPTAIN’S REPORT
It was another amazing year for Pymble Diving.
IPSHA Championships
Our Pymble Pathway Junior divers started the charge with the IPSHA Championships in March, with some girls experiencing their first taste of competitive diving. Congratulations to the following girls who competed in the IPSHA Championships; Zara Ware, Year 2, Amélie Rahme, Year 3, Indie LeonSearle, Year 3, Aaliyah Khanche, Year 4, Anne Liu, Year 5, Emma Lloyd, Year 4, Xanthe Munroe, Year 4, Adele Cassidy, Year 4, Mea McBurney, Year 5, Hayley Browne, Year 6, and Leila Rich, Year 6. Congratulations to Zara, Amélie, Indie and Annie who progressed to Primary School Sports Association (PSSA). Zara and Amélie were State Champions in their respective events, Indie came second, and Annie came fourth!
IGSA
The Senior divers started the first competition of the year with the IGSA Car nival. Cheered on by a very enthusiastic Dr Hadwen, Pymble pride was on display and as a result we were crowned the Champion School in Diving for the tenth year, setting a record for the most consecutive wins. Well done girls on your spectacular and courageous performance!
Other Competitions
The Diving team went on to win several other events in the diving calendar including CIS and the prized All Schools Championships. The results from the All Schools Championships enabled the following girls to be selected in a Merit team; Kennedy Cooper, Year 12, Rylee McKinstry, Year 11, Samantha Scarr, Year 11, Zara Tullipan, Year 11, and Nikola Puhl, Year 10.
The Pymble Diving Connections displayed great success, as Kennedy Cooper, Year 12, Samantha Scarr, Year 11, and Zara Tullipan, Year 11, competed in the Open National and Olympic Nomination Trials in May. This was a wonderful opportunity to dive against the best of Australian diving international representatives and Olympians and to display their advanced level of skill and outstanding commitment to their sport.
Term 3 changes resulted in Pymble Diving switching to dry-land training to maintain strength and flexibility, technique and skills before finally getting back into the pool again towards the end of Term 4.
Well done to all divers who competed throughout the season and to our National Age team and Elite Junior A divers:
National Age Team
Rylee McKinstry, Year 11, Emily Farrall, Year 12, Nikola Puhl, Year 10, Nicole McCrostie, Year 9, Arabella Cox, Year 9, Sabrina Mulhearn, Year 8, Ilaria Crowley, Year 8, Mea Shires, Year 7, Amélie Rahme, Year 3
Elite Junior A
Kennedy Cooper, Year 12, Samantha Scarr, Year 11, Zara Tullipan, Year 11
NSW Diving Association Results
The accumulative results from all the NSW Diving Association results were awarded to the following Diving Connection divers for the 2020/2021 Diving season:
Interclub Point Score
16 to 18 Years Girls
Rylee McKinstry
12 and 13 Years Girls
Charlize Boyes
11 Years and Under Girls
Amélie Rahme
Pathways
Amélie Rahme
Anne Liu
Diving
IGSA DIVING RESULTS
12 Years
Abby Smith 2nd
13 Years
Mea Shires 2nd 14 Years
Arabella Cox 3rd
15 Years
Ilaria Crowley 4th
16 Years
Zara Tullipan 1st
17 Years
Samantha Scarr 1st
17/18 Years Platform
Kennedy Cooper 1st
CIS DIVING RESULTS
12 Years
Thanks
Thank you to Head Coach Mrs Lang, Diving Co-ordinator Mrs Irvine and the Pymble coaching team who worked determinedly to make our program the success it was. Congratulations to the Pymble divers for their commitment to training, the courage to learn new dives, and the tenacity to practise them. Thank you to the parents for driving us around and being our biggest supporters!
Throwing yourself off the platform to execute the perfect dive only takes three seconds but those three seconds teach a lifetime of lessons that can be used every day. Fear is one of the greatest aspects of diving as overcoming it builds a diver’s mental preparation and establishes the confidence to be successful. Diving is an incredible sport and we hope that Pymble students continue to enjoy the fantastic program, facilities and coaches that the College has to offer!
Emily Farrall, Training Diving Captain, and Mrs Chris Lang, Head Coach
Captain of Diving Kennedy Cooper
Abby Smith 2nd Mea Shires 3rd
13 Years
Charlize Boyes 6th Angela Xenofontos 15th
14 Years
Ilaria Crowley 3rd Arabella Cox 5th Sabrina Mulhearn
15 Years Nicole McCrostie 5th
Team Event
Emily Pearson, Rylee McKinstry, Emily Farrall 1st
Overall Results
Division 1 and Overall Champion School
Platform Champion Kennedy Cooper Senior Springboard Champion Samantha Scarr
Champion Team Event Pymble
16 Years
Zara Tullipan 1st Nikola Puhl 2nd
17 Years
Samantha Scarr 1st Rylee McKinstry 2nd
17/18 Years Platform
Kennedy Cooper 1st Rylee McKinstry 4th
15/16 Years Platform
Zara Tullipan 2nd Nikola Puhl 5th
Diving
DIVING REPRESENTATIVES
Pymble Representatives
Charlize Boyes, Kennedy Cooper, Arabella Cox, Ilaria Crowley, Emily Farrall, Darcey Hawkins, Nicole McCrostie, Rylee McKinstry, Sabrina Mulhearn, Emily Pearson, Nikola Puhl, Samantha Scarr, Mea Shires, Abby Smith, Zara Tullipan, Angela
IGSA Representatives
Kennedy Cooper, Arabella Cox, Nicole McCrostie, Rylee McKinstry, Nikola Puhl, Samantha Scarr, Mea Shires, Abby Smith, Zara Tullipan
CIS Representatives
Kennedy Cooper, Ilaria Crowley, Rylee McKinstry, Nikola Puhl, Samantha Scarr, Mea Shires, Abby Smith, Zara Tullipan
IGSA DIVING TEAM
Charlize Boyes, Kennedy Cooper, Arabella Cox, Ilaria Crowley, Emily Farrall, Darcey Hawkins, Nicole McCrostie, Rylee McKinstry, Sabrina Mulhearn, Emily Pearson, Nikola Puhl, Samantha Scarr, Mea Shires, Abby Smith, Zara Tullipan, Angela Xenofontos
Diving
JUNIOR – IPSHA DIVING RESULTS
8 Years
Amélie Rahme 1st Zara Ware 1st
9 Years
Indie Leon-Searle 3rd Anne Liu 4th Aaliyah Khanche 5th
10 Years
Emma Lloyd 6th Xanthe Munroe 7th Adele Cassidy 14th
CIS DIVING RESULTS
Zara Ware
11 Years
Mea McBurney 10th
12 to 13 Years
Hayley Browne 12th Leila Rich 13th
Open Platform Leila Rich 4th
1st 8 Years Springboard
Amélie Rahme 1st 9 Years Springboard
Indie Leon-Searle 3rd 9 Years Springboard
Aaliyah Khanche 5th 9 Years Springboard Anne Liu 4th 10 Years Springboard Leila Rich 4th Open Platform
PSSA DIVING RESULTS
Zara Ware
1st 8 Years Springboard
Amélie Rahme 1st 9 Years Springboard
Indie Leon-Searle 2nd 9 Years Springboard Anne Liu 4th 10 Years Springboard
IPSHA DIVING TEAM
Hayley Browne, Adele Cassidy, Aaliyah Khanche, Indie Leon-Searle, Anne Liu, Emma Lloyd, Mea McBurney, Xanthe Munroe, Amélie Rahme, Leila Rich, Zara Ware
JUNIOR DIVING REPRESENTATIVES
Pymble Representatives
Hayley Browne, Adele Cassidy, Aaliyah Khanche, Indie Leon-Searle, Anne Liu, Emma Lloyd, Mea McBurney, Xanthe Munroe, Amélie Rahme, Leila Rich, Zara Ware
IPSHA Representatives
Aaliyah Khanche, Indie Leon-Searle, Anne Liu, Amélie Rahme, Leila Rich, Zara Ware
NSWCIS Representatives
Indie Leon-Searle, Amélie Rahme, Zara Ware
Equestrian
EQUESTRIAN CAPTAIN’S REPORT
Despite a difficult year for the Pymble Equestrian team, the Pymble girls and their horses succeeded with many great achievements whilst having fun within their chosen disciplines.
The Pymble team competed in various competitions including both Interschools and Open Equestrian Australia events.
A highlight of Pymble Equestrian 2021 was in June, when a team of nine girls and their horses travelled to Coonabarabran to compete in the Coonabarabran Horse Expo. The Pymble team represented the College across many disciplines such as freestyle dressage, show jumping and eventing as well as some different events at Coonabarabran such as polocrosse. It was impressive to see Pymble girls pushing their boundaries and having a go in disciplines they had never competed in before.
It was a very successful Pymble team at the Coonabarabran Expo with every girl coming home with brilliant results, lots learned, and a lot of fun had. The coveted Team Six-Bar Shield was taken out by Pymble which was a great achievement. The highlight though was the camaraderie, support and friendship shared by the team.
The year’s events for the team were few but the achievements were terrific. The experiences shared will remain unforgettable.
EQUESTRIAN TEAM
Fencing
FENCING CAPTAIN’S REPORT
2021 was certainly an amazing year for the Pymble Fencing team. Fortunately we managed to have two terms of training together before the disruption of the COVID-19 lockdown from Term 3. Everyone who participated in the Pymble Fencing program showed dedication and strength.
Junior Fencers
The Junior fencers learned to adapt while also working hard towards developing their skills in fencing in wonderful and interesting ways. Those who started in Term 1 showed significant improvements by the end of the term. Each girl was always enthusiastic and hard working. They also engaged in small team fencing competitions that were held as trial runs and demonstrated their potential and ability to work as a team and with each other.
Secondary Fencers
Our Secondary fencers worked together with passion and dedication. The girls developed their core strength and fencing skills and worked hard as individuals while also helping and encouraging each other to grow together.
By Term 2, we changed to a new timetable as fencing became a Saturday sport. All the girls adapted quickly to this change and engaged with the competition program with enthusiasm. A Fencing party held at the end of the term really give us an opportunity to share experiences and laughter in an inclusive and warm environment.
Unfortunately due to COVID-19 in Term 3, Pymble experienced another lockdown and the National Fencing Championships were delayed for another year.
FENCING TEAM
Pymble Representatives
Clifford, Audrey Duong, Charlotte Ivantsoff, Alexandra Luxton, Vivian Wen, Josephine Wong, Imogen Wu,
All Schools Representative
All the fencers should be very proud of their outstanding performance!
Fencing
FENCING CAPTAIN’S REPORT
Fencing Championship
This year, Alexandra Luxton, Year 10, Alyssa Yee, Year 10, Audrey Duong, Year 10, Vivian Wen, Year 12, Charlotte Ivantsoff, Year 12, Imogen Wu, Year 7, Josephine Wong, Year 8 and Olivia Clifford, Year 9, all participated in the selective rounds for the fencing championships. Unfortunately after the third round the competition was postponed due to COVID-19.
Thank You
On behalf of all Pymble fencers, we would like to extend our most sincere thanks to our enthusiastic and amazing Fencing Co-ordinator Ms O’Keeffe. Thank you so much for working hard to change the time sessions and organise each of the competitions and sessions for us! We would also like to extend a massive thank you to our coach Mr Capon and our assistant coach Mr Barbara. Thank you so much for supporting, teaching and guiding us to become better fencers.
To our Pymble fencers, thank you all so much for the consistent dedication and hard work you demonstrated throughout the year. You are the ones who make the Pymble Fencing team a fabulous family. Congratulations on this amazing year of 2021, and for 2022, best of luck and keep on going!
Vivian Wen, Captain of Fencing
FOOTBALL CAPTAIN’S REPORT
Football Skills
In Term 1, Pymble Football offered preseason skills training to prepare the girls for the Term 2 IGSA Football competition. The sessions focused on a variety of new skills and techniques that contributed to the girls’ confidence.
Term 2 IGSA Football
In 2021, Pymble entered 15 teams in the IGSA Football competition. The short seven-week competition meant most divisions were decided on points at the end of the final round. It was a fantastic season with nine of the 15 teams finishing in the top four. Congratulations to Pymble 1, Pymble 2, Pymble 9 and Pymble 13 who were crowned IGSA Champions for their respective divisions!
Thank you to all students who participated with enthusiasm each week and to the coaches for their dedication and innovation at trainings and matches.
CIS Cup Knockout Competition
The Pymble Senior Firsts Football team started the knockout CIS Cup Football season with a strong 22 to 1 win over Nowra Anglican College in the second round of the competition. The team progressed to another win against Roseville Anglican College and then into the quarter finals against PLC Sydney where they scored another victory. The team faced Central Coast Sport College in the semifinals and played a competitive match at Valentines Sports Park, winning 2 to 1 to progress to the grand final against Mamre Anglican College.
Unfortunately, the grand final was unable to proceed however the girls in the team and training squad should be commended for their efforts during the year.
Congratulations to the Senior Firsts Year 12 students who dedicated their high school years to Pymble Football and finished their season as undefeated IGSA Senior First Champions and CIS Cup Champions, a well-deserved finale. Well done Tara Watson, Monique Goyen, Tess Rickard, Shivani Mehta, Eloise Jones, Bo Burton and Sarah Hunter, Year 12.
Futsal Regional Championships
Pymble entered four teams in the NSW Futsal Regional Championships which were held on the Central Coast. Our Primary team (Years 5 and 6) and Opens team (Years 10, 11 and 12) were given entry straight through to the State competition.
Congratulations to the Under 14 team (Year 7) and the Under 16 team who were both undefeated champions! The State and National events for 2021 were cancelled.
Representative Achievements
Congratulations to Sarah Hunter, Year 12, who was selected and played in the Women’s League Western Sydney Wanderers team for the 2020/2021 season while balancing Year 12 and Pymble Football. Sarah played nine matches for the club and scored two goals. Sarah was also selected in the training camp for the Young Matildas squad. Well done, Sarah!
Laura Wilson, Year 11, and Tara Watson, Year 12, were selected for the IGSA Football Open Representative team which competed at the CIS Football Championships in Term 2. Tara was then selected for the CIS Representative team which competed at the NSW All Schools Football Championships.
Finally, congratulations to every student who participated in the Pymble Football program in 2021 and thank you to all the coaches for their hard work and dedication. It was one of the most successful and enjoyable seasons to date!
Tara Watson, Captain of Football
IGSA FOOTBALL RESULTS
Pymble 1
1st
Bo Burton, Kaitlyn Chan, Jessica Colbran, Ciara Gibson, Monique Goyen, Juliette Harris, Sarah Hunter, Eloise Jones, Georgina Maher, Sofia Massaro, Shivani Mehta, Tess Rickard, Tara Watson, Sophie Watson, Laura Wilson, Claudia Johnston
Pymble 2
Gianna Ariston, Abigail Ballhausen, Milla Black, Lara Hogan, Niraaya Jayasinghe, Eliza Nelson, Aimee Ng, Ava Olesen, Sarah Oppenheim, Wynter O'Regan, Genevieve Osborne, Olivia Rechner, Emma Saunders, Jordyn Seeto, Haley Spring, Rachel Sullivan, Lauren Geddes
Pymble 3
Georgia Alexander-Easaw, Bianca Auld, Annabel Brown, Amelia Browning, Annika Ferguson, Matilda Geddes, Rachel Johnson, Chloe Moore, Ashlee Narker, Ashleigh O'Young, Maya Partridge, Isabella Pettinato, Kristina Pilkington, Lucy Robertson, Emilia Ruscio, Nea Shingler
Pymble 4
1st
Pymble 10 2nd
Victoria Apachou, Briana Armstrong, Abigail Barfield, Ines Danziger, Lauren Gibson, Sophia Grindlay, Amber Halliday, Jameson Heyman, Emilia Massaro, Georgia Short, Madeleine Short, Grace Townsend, Emily Visser, Demitria Volos, Anika Watson
Pymble 11
7th
4th
Adelia Arslan, Ilaria Bicego, Jessica Bunce, Phoebe Cooper, Caitlin Costello, Mary Cottrell, Esther Essey, Jemma Horley, Sophia Lim, Amelie Matthews, Lucy Miller, Erika Nakamaru, Georgia Shaw, Ava Thomas, Tiana Walsh, Lucinda Wlossak
Pymble 12
Sophie Beadman, Jasmine Erfanian, Charlotte Forrester, Claudia Green, Lara Hassall, Lauren Korenblyum, Elizabeth Lockhart, Lucinda Middleton, Linh Pham, Arabella Sherlock, Lily Sullivan, Madeline Taylor, Estelle Vander, Kaleigh Walker, Sybella Warton
Pymble 13
7th
Alana Armstrong, Sydney Auld, Edie Cleland, Chloe Ding, Charlotte Ferry, Freya Gordon, Tamara Guttman, Amelia Hinrichsen, Isabella Jelley, Isabelle Kellaway, Macey Leahy, Savanah Manners, Amelie Riley, Amber Uther
Pymble 5
8th
Isabella Bunce, Holly Campbell, Kyna Das, Kate FalconerFlint, Isabella Hurst, Arabella Ibbotson, Charlotte Leys, Amanda Lwin, Madison Lyster, Sophie Misener, Natasha Moore, Tiah Shaw, Lauren Solness, Pippa Stoodley-Williamson, Tahmara Thomas
Pymble 6
3rd
Amelia Barr, Sophie Byrne, Malina Johnson, Olivia Kowal, Sophia Lupton, Tilly Martyn, Phoebe Mason, Georgia McDonagh, Amelie Miller, Emily Pearson, Mia Plasto, Zoe Tallentire, Hannah Walker, Claudia Webster, Freya Wheen, Ava Yates
Pymble 7
5th
Marguerite Andrews, Lara Blair, Georgia Degotardi, Mia De Riz, Siobhan Dubois, Hannah Edwards, Isabella Green, Samantha Guthrie, Abby Jackson, Lucy Small, Mackenzie Watkins, Tania Yam, Elizabeth Gan
Pymble 8
5th
Samantha Connellan, Alice Dixon, Sophie Graham, Ella Jones, Rhonda Kerr, Lily McLeod, Sophia Mitchell, Bianca Raice, Chanelle Ratnam, Emma Reidy, Georgina Seymour, Madison Simson, Emilia Soghomonian, Haylee Turner, Alice Walker, Tiarn Wilesmith
Pymble 9
1st
Claudia Braysich, Claire Browning, Mia Finn, Jayda Holland, Edie Kemp, Maddie Lewthwaite, Sarah Lonie, Bella Macdonald, Victoria Makim, Eleanor Mannes, Annabel Maple-Brown, Charlotte Milne, Claire Rogers, Jessica Scott
8th
1st
Megan Chen, Melijah Dwight, Freya Howes, Rischa Jadav, Latiah McMillan, Phoebe Paleologos, Andelle Parker, Aria Patel, Erin Porter, Abby Sywak, Jessica Tran, Rachael Tyson, Sarah Usher, Iris Wang
Pymble 14 2nd
Sofia Altorf, Elizabeth Bailey, Sophie Ballantyne, Catalina Bolton, Amelia Brandon, Soraya Catchpole, Montana McCormick, Lucy McLean, Sienna Phair, Isabelle Short, Dasha Stusenko, Olianna Tighe, Emily Walker
Pymble 15
3rd
Kiki Chen, Lucy Cheong, Sasha Clark, Isabel Donald, Samantha Fahy, Amelia Hartcliff, Joanna Karelas, Poppy Leys, Ainslie Raymond, Addison Seeto, Elysia Sun, Jahle Tez, Hannah Willert
Bill Turner Result
CIS Cup
Third Round
Due to COVID-19 the grand final of the CIS Cup was cancelled. Therefore, Pymble Ladies’ College and Mamre Anglican College were named joint champions of the CIS Cup for 2021.
FOOTBALL REPRESENTATIVES
Pymble Representatives
CIS Cup
Bo Burton, Kaitlyn Chan, Jessica Colbran, Ciara Gibson, Monique Goyen, Amber Halliday, Juliette Harris, Sarah Hunter, Niraaya Jayasinghe, Claudia Johnston, Eloise Jones, Georgina Maher, Sofia Massaro, Shivani Mehta, Ava Olesen, Wynter O’Regan, Tess Rickard, Rachel Sullivan, Grace Townsend, Sophie Watson, Tara Watson, Laura Wilson, Izabella Ziolkowski
Bill Turner Trophy
Victoria Apachou, Briana Armstrong, Adelia Arslan, Ines Danziger, Lauren Gibson, Sophia Grindlay, Amber Halliday, Juliette Harris, Jameson Heyman, Emilia Massaro, Georgia Short, Madeleine Short, Grace Townsend, Emily Visser, Demitria Volos, Anika Watson
IGSA Representatives
Tara Watson, Laura Wilson
CIS Representative Sarah Hunter
FOOTBALL AWARDS
Year 12 Blue
Bo Burton, Monique Goyen, Eloise Jones, Shivani Mehta, Tess Rickard, Tara Watson
Red
Lauren Geddes, Olivia Rechner
Year 11
Blue
Ciara Gibson, Claudia Johnston, Georgina Maher, Sofia Massaro, Laura Wilson
Red
Gianna Ariston, Amelia Browning, Annika Ferguson, Matilda Geddes, Lara Hogan, Niraaya Jayasinghe, Chloe Moore, Eliza Nelson, Isabella Pettinato, Jordyn Seeto, Nea Shingler, Haley Spring
Year 10
Blue
Kaitlyn Chan, Jessica Colbran, Sophie Watson Red
Georgia Alexander-Easaw, Bianca Auld, Abigail Ballhausen, Milla Black, Annabel Brown, Rachel Johnson, Ashlee Narker, Aimee Ng, Ava Olesen, Sarah Oppenheim, Wynter O'Regan, Genevieve Osborne, Ashleigh O'Young, Maya Partridge, Kristina Pilkington, Emilia Ruscio, Emma Saunders, Rachel Sullivan, Lucy Robertson
Year 9
Blue
Briana Armstrong, Abigail Barfield, Sophia Grindlay, Amber Halliday, Juliette Harris, Jameson Heyman, Georgia Short, Madeleine Short, Demitria Volos Red
Adelia Arslan, Caitlin Costello, Amelie Matthews, Lucy Miller, Ava Thomas, Lucinda Wlossak
Year 8
Blue Victoria Apachou, Ines Danziger, Lauren Gibson, Emilia Massaro, Grace Townsend, Anika Watson, Emily Visser
Red
Ilaria Bicego, Jessica Bunce, Phoebe Cooper, Mary Cottrell, Esther Essey, Jemma Horley, Sophia Lim, Erika Nakamaru, Tiana Walsh
Year 7 Red Sofia Altorf, Elizabeth Bailey, Sophie Ballantyne, Catalina Bolton, Amelia Brandon, Soraya Catchpole, Montana McCormick, Lucy McLean, Sienna Phair, Isabelle Short, Dasha Stusenko, Olianna Tighe, Emily Walker
SENIOR FIRSTS
JUNIOR SCHOOL FOOTBALL REPORT
In Term 1 many girls in the Junior School played football as their Saturday sport. During training, everyone worked hard to improve their skills and found areas of strength in the game. This could be strong on the ball, quick skills to get past people and accurate strong passes and shots. At the end of each match the coaches would talk to us about what we did well and what we needed to improve on, then in our training sessions we would work on the parts we needed to be better at.
Football was a favourite Saturday sport for the girls and the coaches.
No matter how hard the opposition was, the players and coaches always tried to have fun and play at the top of their game every match!
Amelia Bicego, Gabriella Sheh, Jenny Ling and Addison Woods, Year 6
JUNIOR FOOTBALL REPRESENTATIVE
CIS Representative
Amelia Bicego
IPSHA FOOTBALL TEAMS
Pymble 1
Amelia Bicego, Hayley Browne, Elisa Cui, Eloise Fisher, Annabelle Johnston, Lily Mancey, Sophie Rigg, Claudia Stretton
Pymble 2
Victoria O’Sullivan, Leila Rich, Ella-Marie Scott, Charlotte Thistlewood, Ruby Watson, Isabella Woodall, Jacquelyn Zhu
Pymble 3
Layla Abdel-Megeed, Saja Abdel-Megeed, Jessica Allman, Katherine Boyce, Serena Cummings, Emily Englund, Lara Waterhouse, Addison Woods, Annie Pennington
Pymble 4
Kayra Amir, Jenny Ling, Lucinda Martin, Isabel Neal, Allegra Oddone-Bransgrove, Ciara Sweeney, Lillian Wang, Catherine Zeng
Pymble 5
Sierra Borean, Eve Clark, Sophie Harris, Scarlett Martel, Abigail Martin, Mea McBurney, Eloise Rumble, Claudia Wyatt
Pymble 6
Emily Finucane, Dakota Jiang, Olivia Pragassen, Emma Scott, Claudia Sherlock, Yuna Shin, Pia Vandeleur, Annie Xiao
Pymble 7
Amara Ahmed, Sheryl Alexander, Ashira Fonseka, Sarah Foo, Natasha Horner, Tia Pillai, Jasmine Wu
Pymble 8
Madison Aikman, Zoe Alphandary, Adele Cassidy, Edith Cullinane, Willow Gerreyn, Olivia Hicks-Duncombe, Haneesha Lidder, Phoebe Scott, Chloé Shires, Charlie Slater
Pymble 9
Madeleine Birrell, Orla Cottrell, Amelia Hardas, Madeleine King, Jing Yuan Liu, Jessica Pickford, Iris Tang, Anika Verma, Claire Xing
Pymble 10
Aarna Ashwin, Madison Burns, Sueann Deng, Riley Kwok, Chloe Morrison, Bethany Tucker, Victoria Yu, Vivian Zhang
Pymble 11
Sophia Sayegh, Savannah Sherlock, Sophie Tong, Olivia Guo, Rosie Han, Izabella Prokop, Abigail Wu
GOLF CAPTAIN’S REPORT
The Pymble Golf program enabled students to develop their golfing skills both on the range and the course. The 2021 program was instructed by Avondale Golf Club professional Mr Ben Paterson and coaches. The students received individual coaching lessons to fine tune their chipping, putting and driving and the improvement from each girl was impressive. It has been amazing to watch the progression of our golfers during the year as well as the growth in the Pymble program.
Congratulations to Sophie Tong, Year 3, on her remarkable achievements this year. She won the US Kids Golf Australian Masters in the 8 and 9 Years age group when she competed on the Hunter Valley Golf Course for two days. She also received nett runner up 11 Years and Under age group in the St George Junior Masters at Beverly Park Golf Course in December 2020. In January 2021, Sophie played in the Harvey Norman Jack Newton Junior tournament and won overall girls nett champion (including 15 Years and older group) at 27 under her handicap, dropping to 17.4. These results are outstanding considering Sophie had just turned eight, truly a star on the rise!
The great success of the Pymble Golf program would not be possible without the Golf Coordinator Mr Edward Ellwood-Hall, whose commitment towards the Pymble Golf community was a great source of inspiration for the girls. It was a delight to watch the girls develop their confidence and skills in golf, and I hope that the Pymble Golf community continues to flourish.
Amber Cai, Captain of GolfIsabel Huang, Year 10 Celine Hu, Year 10 Chloe Kim, Year 9 Isabel Huang, Year 10, Chloe Kim, Year 9 and Celine Hu, Year 10 Sophie Tong, Year 3
It has been amazing to watch the progression of our golfers during the year
HOCKEY CAPTAIN’S REPORT
Although the Hockey season was cut short this year, Pymble was still able to play some excellent hockey in the Mollie Dive competition, through Hockey online and with many students participating in events in the earlier part of the year.
Term 1
In Term 1, the Talented Athlete Program ran which consisted of skill-based sessions and game play. It was a great way to sharpen up and dust off some key skills before the season began.
Term 2
During Term 2 both our Senior Hockey First and Junior Hockey First teams took part in the Mollie Dive Hockey competition. This was a weekly, friendly competition to help schools prepare for the Term 3 IGSA competition. Our Senior squad had some great games over the course of the term and looked dominant only to lose in the semi-final against a very talented Barker outfit. We then bounced back from that loss to defeat Roseville and finish third. The Junior squad went through undefeated and beat Abbotsleigh convincingly in the final 8 to 1. Some fantastic sportsmanship was shown by our team when two of our players helped out Abbotsleigh who were only able to field nine players for the game.
Online
Despite being online in Term 3 we were lucky to participate in ‘Hockey at Home’ which consisted of skill-based sessions that were recorded by Miss Rees. These sessions were a really great way to keep up and try new skills while at home which provided some much-needed lockdown entertainment.
Representative Tournaments
Many Pymble students participated in representative tournaments at the beginning of the year which included IGSA, NSWCIS, State Championships and Nationals. For the Under 16 Years age group, Elizabeth Graves, Year 9, Alice Windybank, Year 10, and Amalia Patterson, Year 10, made the IGSA team and Alice and Amalia were also selected for the NSWCIS team. In the Under 18 Years age group Nicola Farquharson, Year 12, made the IGSA and NSWCIS team. Unfortunately, the NSW All Schools competition was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Earlier in the year, Michaela-Jayne Kennedy, Year 9, went to Under 15 Years Nationals with the NSW Blues team and at Under 18 Years Nationals Amalia Patterson, Year 10,
played for the NSW Blues and Sydney Auld, Year 11, played for the Northern Territory team. Later in the year Sydney and Amalia made the Under 18 Years NSW squad for 2021/2022 and Nicola made the Under 21 Years NSW squad for 2021/2022.
This year, Pymble Hockey was able to excel through amazing and fun programs, competitions and high rates of participation in competitions.
Nicola Farquharson, Captain of Hockey
HOCKEY AWARDS
12
9
Auld
Kennedy
Hockey
HOCKEY REPRESENTATIVES
IGSA Representatives
Nicola Farquharson, Elizabeth Graves, Amalia Patterson, Alice Windybank
CIS Representatives
Nicola Farquharson, Amalia Patterson, Alice Windybank
NSW Representatives
Michaela-Jayne Kennedy, Amalia Patterson
MOLLIE DIVE HOCKEY RESULTS
Senior Firsts 3rd
Amalia Patterson, Nicola Farquharson, Alice Windybank, Tilly Morgan, Victoria Graves, Sydney Auld, Kristina Pilkington, Chloe Moore, Riley Cade, Philippa Austin, Michaela-Jayne Kennedy, Saskia Willoughby-Winlaw, Annika Ferguson, Anna Mufford, Maggie Kellaway, Eloise Clare
Junior Firsts 1st
Ilaria Bicego, Aimi Jenkin, Jaya Lilienthal, Tessa Newitt, Mia Sams, Sophia Slater, Sophie Banerjee, Jessica Beeton, Georgia Bicego, Elizabeth Graves, Ella Jones, Georgia Lyster, Arabella Smithyman
JUNIOR SCHOOL HOCKEY REPORT
In Term 2, a number of Junior School students participated in hockey as a Saturday sport. During training, everyone worked hard to improve their skills and identify their strengths. The coaches gave the team goals for the following training sessions at the end of each match.
Hockey was a popular Saturday sport. Year 6 played Super 8 which involved a goalie, while Years 3 to 5 played a modified version called Minkey. There were no goalies in Minkey as the ball is not allowed to leave the ground.
The coaches always provided excellent feedback to help the squad improve their game. Regardless of how difficult the opposition was, the players and coaches tried their hardest to have fun and play their best in every match.
Alannah Tang, Isabella Woodall, Eloise Fisher and Maya Ostapenko, Year 6
IPSHA HOCKEY TEAMS
Pymble 1
Elisa Cui, Emily Englund, Eloise Fisher, Charlotte King, Zara Kinniburgh, Grace Louw, Annie Pennington, Isabella Woodall
Pymble 2
Abani Dhaliwal, Sienna Ford, Lucinda Martin, Sophie Ngai, Alannah Tang, Emily Yu, Catherine Zeng
Pymble 3
Blair Elliott, Emily Finucane, Harriet Gregory, Eleanor Rowe, Claudia Sherlock, Caitlin Stoodley, Emily Woods-McConville
Pymble 4
Sierra Borean, Aria Cheng, Abigail Hung, Emma Scott, Yuna Shin
Pymble 5
Adele Cassidy, Eloise Gavagna, Olivia Hicks-Duncombe, Estelle Macolino, Ashlee-Rose Saba, Chloé Shires, Charlie Slater, Victoria Yu
Pymble 6
Madison Burns, Orla Cottrell, Meera Gohulan, Madeleine King, Izabella Prokop, Lakshi Rajeev, Jasleen Sidhu, Lana Tao, Bethany Tucker, Amari Wilson
JUNIOR HOCKEY REPRESENTATIVES
CIS Representatives
Eloise Fisher, Grace Louw, Isabella Woodall
Netball
NETBALL REPORT
Congratulations to Audrey Little, Year 12, who was awarded a NSW Swifts Training Partner contract for 2022. This is the pinnacle team for NSW that competes in the strongest international competition Suncorp Super Netball. Congratulations Audrey and we wish you all the best for the 2022 season.
Congratulations again to Audrey Little, Year 12, who was selected in the Under 19 Years NSW state team, and to Grace Whyte, Year 10, and Eugenie Little, Year 10, who were selected in the Under 17 Years NSW state team.
Nationals were due to be held in Hobart, Tasmania, but unfortunately were cancelled at the last minute due to restrictions. The players and coaches had already made their way to Hobart and were preparing for the competition when Netball Australia made the difficult decision to cancel the tournament. Despite the cancellation, Australian Squads were named for additional regionalised training camps in December. Congratulations to Audrey Little, Year 12, and Grace Whyte, Year 10, for inclusion in the development camps.
Mrs Gin Welsh, Head Coach – Netball
Captain of Netball, Audrey Little
NETBALL AWARDS
NETBALL REPRESENTATIVES
IGSA Representatives
Netball
JUNIOR SCHOOL NETBALL REPORT
Term 2 was IPSHA Netball season with Saturday mornings buzzing with our Netball program. The courts were filled with excited young athletes from Years 3 to 6 playing exciting and very competitive games of netball. Many thanks to the wonderful coaches who ensured the girls developed their netball skills while having lots of fun in the process. Additional thanks to our umpires for their patience and kind explanation of the many rules of netball.
Participation in Netball Basic Skills Clinics in Term 1 and the weekly training sessions throughout Term 2 produced some excellent netball throughout the season.
IPSHA NETBALL TEAMS
Pymble 1
Hayley Browne, Arin Yoon, Elle Harsany, Monique Marinovic, Maya Ostapenko, Serena Cummings, Maile Wilson, Harriet Murphy, Isabelle Younger
Pymble 2
Mie Naito, Kayra Amir, Charlotte Thistlewood, Sophie Rigg, Jessica Allman, Ashleigh Song
Pymble 3
Anjali Shah, Bonnie Hebblewhite, Stella Sharp, Ruby Watson, Katherine Boyce, Lara Waterhouse, Emily Chiang
Pymble 4
In Term 2 a number of the Junior School girls played netball as their Saturday sport. During training, everyone worked hard to develop new skills and found their areas of strength.
Netball was a popular Saturday sport and the coaches always gave amazing feedback to extend the playing skills of the team. No matter how hard the opposition was, the girls and coaches always tried their best to have fun and play at the top of their potential every match.
Maile Wilson, Anjali Shah, Harriet Murphy and Lily Mancey, Year 6
Christina Zhao, Nicole Zhang, Isabella Zhang, Nancy He, Sanaa Kapoor, Kristen Pang, Karen Kuang, Haniya Abdul Aziz
Pymble 5
Mea McBurney, Scarlett Martel, Olivia Pragassen, Clara Mudaliar, Aurora Zhang, Elizabeth Macpherson, Kate Rogers, Sasha McGarrick, Abby Pisani
Pymble 6
Abigail Martin, Pia Vandeleur, Jamilla Soo, Isabel Cooke, Tabitha Lannen, Stacy Sharp, Eve Clark, Eloise Rumble, Sophie Harris
Pymble 7
Natasha Horner, Amara Ahmed, Ella Gungor, Malaika Rasheed, Tia Pillai, Ashira Fonseka, Ruolin Huang, Sarah Foo
Pymble 8
Emma Lloyd, Edith Cullinane, Madison Aikman, Amelia Hardas, Anika Verma, Ruby Thomas, Jessica Pickford, Mikayla Sun
Pymble 9
Olivia Chan, Jing Yuan Liu, Haneesha Lidder, Rebecca Zhou, Melanie Xu, Esther Li, Iris Tang, Diyana Palihawadana, Victoria Xu, Madeleine Birrell
Pymble 10
Charlotte Wu, Chenxi Wang, Sophie Tong, Wendy Pan, Kiera Xu, Riyanna Sawhney, Sueann Deng, Lucinda Bryant, Aarna Ashwin, Chloe Yi
JUNIOR NETBALL REPRESENTATIVE
IPSHA Representative Serena Cummings
Congratulations to Serena Cummings, Year 6, who was selected into the 2021 IPSHA team.Arin Yoon, Charlotte Thistlewood, Maya Ostapenko, Isabelle Younger, Monique Marinovic, Elle Harsany, Maile Wilson and Hayley Browne, Year 6
Rhythmic Gymnastics
RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS CAPTAIN’S REPORT
2021 proved to be quite an uncertain year for all gymnasts, however all girls demonstrated tremendous resilience.
The year began with hopes for a normal competition season as training returned from online Zoom sessions to the gym. Throughout Terms 1 and 2, all girls trained extremely hard to prepare their routines and challenged themselves to attempt new and difficult skills.
In March, our Level 9 gymnast Gigi Spiller, Year 9, was able to compete in the NSW State Championships after months of preparation and hard work. Gigi achieved outstanding results with sixth place overall at the competition. In June, girls in Levels 5 to 7 competed in the first State trial. It was amazing to see all gymnasts take their new skills and routines to the floor after almost two years without competitions.
Unfortunately, with the return of COVID-19 restrictions in the Term 2 holidays, training sessions returned to Zoom and all competitions were eventually cancelled, including IGSA and the anticipated National Clubs Carnival. Though this was disappointing news, online training tested every gymnast’s ability to bounce back from the new limitations.
Zoom training allowed for a deep focus on strength, flexibility and fitness.
Additionally, it offered opportunities to experiment with different apparatus skills for the new 2022 to 2024 Code of Points. Gymnasts Level 7 and above were given an incredible opportunity to attend a Zoom masterclass with Olympian Boryana Kaleyn. Miss Kaleyn explored skills with the ball and clubs and also incorporated apparatus into strength and flexibility exercises. In the Term 3 holidays, girls were invited to participate in an RG Dance Showcase by Gymnastics NSW, where they collaborated with gymnasts from other NSW clubs to learn a group dance routine. This arrangement brought everybody together, allowing the girls to simply have fun, work with their friends, and explore their own dance styles.
All in all, this year truly showed how resilient and hard-working all the girls are; they should be incredibly proud of themselves. I would like to thank all our coaches for their huge efforts and support of the girls throughout the year. We look forward to 2022 and the things it will bring!
Sophia Gao, 2022 Captain of Rhythmic Gymnastics Captain of Rhythmic Gymnastics Ashley Dhanu
RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS
RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS RESULTS
State Trial 1
Year
Gao
Gigi Spiller
Gigi Spiller 6th Ball State Trial 2 Gigi Spiller 6th Rope State Championships
Gigi Spiller 1st Rope, 2nd Ball, 5th Clubs, 6th Overall
Tia Brown, Lily
Emily Tse, Amy Xue,
Rowing
ROWING CAPTAIN’S REPORT
The 2020/2021 Rowing season was filled with outstanding achievements for the dedicated members of the Pymble squad. Pymble’s elite skill level and talent were displayed through consistent results at regattas where we represented our College as a dominant force throughout the season.
Term 4 Review
In Term 4 2020, the Pymble Rowing team was excited to be back on the water including a significant number of new recruits to the team and the Learn to Row girls.
In Term 4 Pymble entered the MLC, Roseville, Loreto Normanhurst and Loreto Kirribilli regattas held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre. It was great to get the crews out on the course and see the competition, with impressive results from Pymble crews. Despite not having spectators, it was encouraging to watch the squad support each other.
Rowing Camps
During the summer holidays, the squads attended camps for a week of solid work and companionship. The Seniors were extremely excited to head to Jindabyne to experience training including hikes, swim sessions and water sessions on beautiful Lake Jindabyne. The Intermediate and Junior squads started their camp with a selection day at Iron Cove, and then headed to the Nepean River for five days of training with on water and off water activities to develop their skills and knowledge of rowing. The Learn to Row girls joined the group for the final two days and experienced their first rowing camp.
The last day was a fun competition where all the crews participated in an interschool mini regatta to demonstrate the skills developed from the camps.
Term 1 Review
Pymble crews competed at the NSW Rowing Championships with a challenging day on the water, followed by a double header regatta at the Sydney International Regatta Centre. The double header involved the Pymble Ladies’ College and The King’s School Regatta followed by the Independent Girls’ Schools Association (IGSA) Regatta. The Pymble crews showed their hard work from the holiday training camps to win the overall point score for the third year in a row. Congratulations to the squads for not only their achievements at the regattas, but for their support of one another both on and off the water.
Head of the River
The Head of the River is the most important regatta of the season. In 2021, it was held on Sunday 14 March. Pymble had a successful day with many crews placing in the top three and the Junior First squad and Intermediate First squad winning gold medals! The Second Eight finished a strong second and our Pymble First Eight came away with a bronze medal after a tight race with Queenwood and Kinross Wolaroi School. Pymble was announced Head of the River Overall Point Score Winner by two points, with their energy and spirit unmatched. It was a fantastic end to a busy season with the Pymble girls sinking the pontoon!
Nationals
This year the First Eight was fortunate to attend the 2021 Australian Rowing Championships held on Lake Barrington in Tasmania. The squad raced against the best schools in the country with Pymble’s First Eight making the A final and finishing eighth fastest Schoolgirl Eight in Australia. This achievement was a wonderful way to finish the season with a strong and unified team. Alice Walker, Year 12, raced the Schoolgirl Single and finished in fourth place in her heat which was an amazing result against tough competition. As Captain, I will cherish the week of laughs and lessons learned.
Thank You
Thank you to the Pymble Rowing community, the school for their support, the parents who committed their time, and the girls for their efforts throughout the season. Finally, to our incredible coaching staff managed by Miss Williams and Miss Brodie, we are so grateful for everything you have done for Pymble Rowing.
I was honoured to be the 2020/2021 Rowing Captain. I look forward to watching Pymble Rowing continue to grow and dominate!
Georgina Seymour, Captain of RowingRowing
ROWING REPRESENTATIVES
Pymble Representatives
Mikayla Arthur, Philippa Austin, Abigail Barfield, Mia Booth, Rhiannon Castle, Jessica Colbran, Alexandra de Ambrosis, Halle De Souza, Sophie Dunn, Georgina Ericsson, Catherine Gavagna, Sophie Graham, Charlotte Hartin, Arabella Hunt, Lilian Huntley, Isabella Kaleski, Mehreen Khan, Madeline Lawson, Macey Leahy, Serena Leung, Chloe Luxford, Madison Lyster, Lucy Miller, Tilly Morgan, Sarah Oppenheim, Liesel Page, Skye Pockley, Polly Sargeant, Georgina Seymour, Indi Tishler, Alice Walker, Megan Wood, Stephanie Wood
IGSA Representatives
Georgina Ericsson, Sophie Graham, Mehreen Khan, Liesel Page
NSW All Schools Representatives
Mikayla Arthur, Jessica Colbran, Georgina Ericsson, Sophie Graham, Lilian Huntley, Mehreen Khan, Tilly Morgan, Georgina Seymour
ROWING AWARDS
Year 12 Blue
Mikayla Arthur, Halle De Souza, Georgina Ericsson, Sophie Graham, Isabella Kaleski, Georgina Seymour, Alice Walker
Year 11 Blue
Philippa Austin, Sophie Dunn, Lilian Huntley, Mehreen Khan, Chloe Luxford, Madison Lyster, Polly Sargeant, Stephanie Wood
Red
Victoria Brash, Grace Carey, Freya Carmody, Arabella Ibbotson, Ayesha Lakhani, Amanda Lwin, Anna Mufford, Denika Tajalli, Amy Watts, Eloise Wilson, Lily Windsor
Year 10 Blue
Rhiannon Castle, Jessica Colbran, Alexandra de Ambrosis, Catherine Gavagna, Charlotte Hartin, Arabella Hunt, Macey Leahy, Serena Leung, Tilly Morgan, Eleanor Owrid, Liesel Page, Indi Tishler
Red
Georgia Alexander-Easaw, Bianca Auld, Zara Benson, Olivia Bransgrove, Madeleine Coman, Jessica Ding, Alice Dunn, Isabel Fisher, Isabelle Francis, Eliza Gothard, Elizabeth Hart, Manni Lin, Sarah Oppenheim, Maya Partridge, Abi Thornton, Sophie Waters, Isabella Watson
Year 9 Blue
Abigail Barfield, Mia Booth, Alessandra Braysich, Olivia Kelly, Madeline Lawson, Carrie Luo, Harriet McLean, Lucy Miller, Aspen Moore, Skye Pockley, Megan Wood
Red
Caitlin Cho, Cameron Collett, Sally Cooper, Lydia Heazlewood-Lee, Ella Jones, Sofia Laftsidis, Isabel Matosantos, Dimity Muller, Georgie Purcell, Arabella Smithyman, Stella Symons, Carolina Yemma
Year 8
Red
Diana Attinger, Alice Beveridge, Esther Essey, Lauren Gibson, Phoebe Handley, Genevieve Hartin, Ellie Hennessy, Bella Hyun, Isabella Johnson, Isabelle Johnston, Alice Kang, Emily Lin, Grace Longstaff, Zoe Lupton, Jasmine McAuley, Lucinda Middleton, Mika Naito, Siena Novak, Tully O’Regan, Erin Porter, Annabel Shanahan, Felicity Sheh, Alexandra Stansall, Lily Sullivan, Abby Sywak, Melanie Tan, Annabel Taylor, Rachael Tyson, Nityasree Viswanathan, Iris Wang, Hannah Weber, Amy Zhang, Sonya Zlatanovic
Year 7 Red
Sasha Clark, Millie Cullinane, Zoe Hart, Matilda Ma-Conis, Montana McCormick, Anais McDonald, Lucy McLean, Johanna Ricketts, Winter Shirvington, Mia Solomons, Olianna Tighe, Arabella Wheatley, Ella Willetts
Rowing
ROWING RESULTS
NSW State Championships
Championship Schoolgirl Eight 4th
Georgina Seymour, Liesel Page, Tilly Morgan, Georgina Ericsson, Philippa Austin, Jessica Colbran, Lilian Huntley, Sophie Graham, Mehreen Khan (Cox)
Championship Schoolgirl Eight 5th (Heat)
Polly Sargeant, Sophie Dunn, Chloe Luxford, Madison Lyster, Stephanie Wood, Isabella Kaleski, Alice Walker, Mikayla Arthur, Halle De Souza (Cox)
Championship Women’s Under 16 Coxed Quad Scull 2nd
Abigail Barfield, Skye Pockley, Megan Wood, Mia Booth, Madeline Lawson (Cox)
Championship Schoolgirl Single Scull 7th (Semi-final)
Alice Walker
Championship Women’s Under 17 Coxed Quad Scull 5th
Lucy Miller, Catherine Gavagna, Charlotte Hartin, Rhiannon Castle, Indi Tishler (Cox)
Championship Women’s Under 17 Coxed Quad Scull 6th (Heat)
Sarah Oppenheim, Macey Leahy, Alexandra de Ambrosis, Arabella Hunt, Serena Leung (Cox)
Championship Women’s Under 16 Single Scull 8th
Jessica Colbran
Championship Schoolgirl Double Scull 6th Mikayla Arthur, Lilian Huntley
Championship Schoolgirl Double Scull 5th Philippa Austin, Georgina Ericsson
Championship Women’s Under 17 Single Scull 2nd
Liesel Page
Championship Women’s Under 17 Single Scull 7th
Tilly Morgan
IGSA Regatta
First Eight 3rd
Georgina Seymour, Liesel Page, Tilly Morgan, Georgina Ericsson, Philippa Austin, Jessica Colbran, Lilian Huntley, Sophie Graham, Mehreen Khan (Cox)
Second Eight 3rd
Polly Sargeant, Sophie Dunn, Chloe Luxford, Isabella Kaleski, Stephanie Wood, Madison Lyster, Alice Walker, Mikayla Arthur, Halle De Souza (Cox)
Senior Four 3rd
Anna Mufford, Eloise Wilson, Ayesha Lakhani, Grace Carey, Arabella Ibbotson (Cox)
Senior Quad 3rd
Lily Windsor, Denika Tajalli, Amanda Lwin, Victoria Brash, Abi Thornton (Cox)
Senior Single Scull 4th Amy Watts
Year 10 First Quad 1st
Lucy Miller, Catherine Gavagna, Charlotte Hartin, Rhiannon Castle, Indi Tishler (Cox)
Year 10 Second Quad 1st Eleanor Owrid, Macey Leahy, Alexandra de Ambrosis, Arabella Hunt, Serena Leung (Cox)
Year 10 Third Quad 1st Bianca Auld, Sarah Oppenheim, Alice Dunn, Georgia Alexander-Easaw, Eliza Gothard (Cox)
Year 10 Fourth Quad 1st Olivia Bransgrove, Isabella Watson, Sophie Waters, Isabel Fisher, Manni Lin (Cox)
Year 10 Double 4th Isabelle Francis, Zara Benson
Year 10 Double 5th
Madeleine Coman, Elizabeth Hart
Year 10 Double 6th Maya Partridge, Jessica Ding
Year 9 First Quad 1st
Abigail Barfield, Skye Pockley, Megan Wood, Mia Booth, Madeline Lawson (Cox)
Rowing
ROWING RESULTS
Year 9 Second Quad 1st
Aspen Moore, Alessandra Braysich, Harriet McLean, Olivia Kelly, Carrie Luo (Cox)
Year 9 Third Quad 4th
Georgie Purcell, Lydia Heazlewood-Lee, Sofia Laftsidis, Ella Jones, Caitlin Cho (Cox)
Year 9 Fourth Quad 1st
Dimity Muller, Arabella Smithyman, Isabel Matosantos, Sally Cooper, Carolina Yemma (Cox)
Year 9 Double 3rd
Cameron Collett, Stella Symons
Year 8 First Quad 4th
Amy Zhang, Lauren Gibson, Mika Naito, Tully O’Regan, Annabel Taylor (Cox)
Year 8 Second Quad 4th
Iris Wang, Hannah Weber, Phoebe Handley, Ellie Hennessy, Annabel Shanahan (Cox)
Year 8 Third Quad 4th
Melanie Tan, Genevieve Hartin, Felicity Sheh, Alice Beveridge, Isabelle Johnston (Cox)
Year 8 Fourth Quad 5th
Grace Longstaff, Isabella Johnson, Zoe Lupton, Alexandra Stansall, Diana Attinger (Cox)
Year 8 Fifth Quad 3rd
Erin Porter, Rachael Tyson, Alice Kang, Sonya Zlatanovic, Bella Hyun (Cox)
Year 8 Sixth Quad 4th
Lily Sullivan, Lucinda Middleton, Abby Sywak, Nityasree Viswanathan, Emily Lin (Cox)
Year 8 Seventh Quad 6th (Competing in the Year 9 Fifth Quad category)
Isabelle Johnston, Diana Attinger, Annabel Taylor, Emily Lin, Annabel Shanahan (Cox)
Year 8 Single Scull 2nd Esther Essey
Year 7 First Quad 7th (Competing in the Year 8 Sixth Quad category)
Millie Cullinane, Johanna Ricketts, Olianna Tighe, Arabella Wheatley, Carolina Yemma (Cox)
Year 7 Second Quad 8th (Competing in the Year 8 Sixth Quad category)
Sasha Clark, Winter Shirvington, Zoe Hart, Ella Willetts, Caitlin Cho (Cox)
Year 7 Third Quad 9th (Competing in the Year 8 Sixth Quad category)
Mia Solomons, Anais McDonald, Lucy McLean, Siena Novak, Carrie Luo (Cox)
Head of the River
First Eight
Liesel Page, Tilly Morgan, Sophie Graham, Georgina Seymour, Jessica Colbran, Philippa Austin, Georgina Ericsson, Lilian Huntley, Mehreen Khan (Cox)
3rd
Second Eight 2nd
Polly Sargeant, Sophie Dunn, Chloe Luxford, Isabella Kaleski, Stephanie Wood, Madison Lyster, Alice Walker, Mikayla Arthur, Halle De Souza (Cox)
Senior Four 5th
Anna Mufford, Eloise Wilson, Ayesha Lakhani, Grace Carey, Arabella Ibbotson (Cox)
Senior Quad
7th
Lily Windsor, Denika Tajalli, Amanda Lwin, Victoria Brash, Abi Thornton (Cox)
Senior Single Scull 6th (Heat) Amy Watts
Year 10 First Quad
Lucy Miller, Catherine Gavagna, Charlotte Hartin, Rhiannon Castle, Indi Tishler (Cox)
1st
Year 10 Second Quad 4th
Macey Leahy, Eleanor Owrid, Alexandra de Ambrosis, Arabella Hunt, Serena Leung (Cox)
Year 10 Third Quad 1st
Sarah Oppenheim, Georgia Alexander-Easaw, Alice Dunn, Bianca Auld, Eliza Gothard (Cox)
Year 10 Fourth Quad 1st
Sophie Waters, Isabella Watson, Olivia Bransgrove, Isabel Fisher, Manni Lin (Cox)
Rowing
ROWING RESULTS
Year 10 Fifth Quad 4th (Competing in the Year 10 Fourth Quad category)
Maya Partridge, Jessica Ding, Madeleine Coman, Elizabeth Hart, Madeline Lawson (Cox)
Year 10 Double 5th
Zara Benson, Isabelle Francis
Year 10 Single Scull 4th Freya Carmody
Year 9 First Quad 1st
Abigail Barfield, Skye Pockley, Megan Wood, Mia Booth, Madeline Lawson (Cox)
Year 9 Second Quad 1st
Aspen Moore, Alessandra Braysich, Harriet McLean, Olivia Kelly, Carrie Luo (Cox)
Year 9 Third Quad 4th
Georgie Purcell, Sofia Laftsidis, Ella Jones, Lydia Heazlewood-Lee, Caitlin Cho (Cox)
Year 9 Fourth Quad 2nd
Dimity Muller, Arabella Smithyman, Sally Cooper, Isabel Matosantos, Carolina Yemma (Cox)
Year 9 Double 7th Stella Symons, Cameron Collett
Year 8 First Quad 6th
Amy Zhang, Lauren Gibson, Tully O’Regan, Mika Naito, Annabel Taylor (Cox)
Year 8 Second Quad 6th
Ellie Hennessy, Iris Wang, Hannah Weber, Phoebe Handley, Annabel Shanahan (Cox)
Year 8 Third Quad 6th
Melanie Tan, Felicity Sheh, Genevieve Hartin, Alice Beveridge, Isabelle Johnston (Cox)
Year 8 Fourth Quad 5th
Isabella Johnson, Zoe Lupton, Grace Longstaff, Alexandra Stansall, Diana Attinger (Cox)
Year 8 Fifth Quad 1st
Alice Kang, Erin Porter, Rachael Tyson, Sonya Zlatanovic, Bella Hyun (Cox)
Year 8 Sixth Quad 2nd
Nityasree Viswanathan, Lucinda Middleton, Lily Sullivan, Abby Sywak, Emily Lin (Cox)
Year 8 Double 8th
Siena Novak, Jasmine McAuley
Year 8 Single Scull 3rd Esther Essey
Year 7 First Quad 1st (Competing in the Year 8 Seventh Quad category)
Zoe Hart, Johanna Ricketts, Millie Cullinane, Ella Willetts, Mia Solomons (Cox)
Year 7 Second Quad 5th (Competing in the Year 8 Seventh Quad category)
Arabella Wheatley, Olianna Tighe, Winter Shirvington, Sasha Clark, Caitlin Cho (Cox)
Year 7 Third Quad 6th (Competing in the Year 8 Seventh Quad category)
Anais McDonald, Matilda Ma-Conis, Montana McCormick, Lucy McLean, Carolina Yemma (Cox)
Australian Rowing Championships
Schoolgirl’s Coxed Eight 8th
Liesel Page, Tilly Morgan, Sophie Graham, Georgina Seymour, Jessica Colbran, Philippa Austin, Georgina Ericsson, Lilian Huntley, Mehreen Khan (Cox)
Schoolgirl’s Single Scull 5th (C-Final)
Alice Walker
INTERMEDIATES
LEARN TO ROW
Rugby Sevens
RUGBY SEVENS CAPTAIN’S REPORT
Pymble teams competed in the Indigenous sport rounds which enabled the girls to test out their new skills against fierce opposition and demonstrate their hard work with both the Intermediate team and Senior team bringing home a win. The players, parents and coaches were excited to meet the opposing teams. Everyone enjoyed the barbecue provided after the competition.
RUGBY SEVENS AWARDS
Year 12 Silver Bo Burton
Year 11 Silver Ruby Nicholas Blue
Whilst the 2021 Rugby Sevens competition didn’t go ahead this year the squad had a great opportunity to train in Term 2. The Pymble team worked hard to improve ball handling and tackling skills, as the girls split into age groups and participated in rotations of different activities and training drills. The coaches’ knowledge of the sport assisted the novice players and their motivation encouraged us to work strongly as a team.
RUGBY SEVENS REPRESENTATIVES
CIS Representatives
Jessica Colbran, Freya Gordon, Isobel Gosper, Niraaya Jayasinghe, Andie Kearns, Lily Mancey, Mie Naito, Ruby Nicholas, Aneeka Reilly, Brianna Worsfold
NSW All Schools Representatives
Jessica Colbran, Isobel Gosper, Niraaya Jayasinghe, Aneeka Reilly, Brianna Worsfold
NSW Representatives
Tess Elmslie, Isobel Gosper
Pymble coaches Mr Garrad and Hugh ran online Zoom calls during Term 3 which allowed the girls to practise ball skills and fitness training. The girls were grateful for this opportunity and connection during the lockdown.
Rugby Sevens at Pymble has grown since it began in 2017, and it is exciting to see where it is headed in the future. I wish the coaches and the squad luck in the future, knowing that they will always give it their best!
Mia Campbell, Captain of Rugby Sevens
Freya Gordon, Isobel Gosper, Niraaya Jayasinghe, Aneeka Reilly, Brianna Worsfold
Year 11 Blue Tess Elmslie
Year 10 Blue Jessica Colbran
JUNIOR 1
Sailing
SAILING CAPTAIN’S REPORT
It was a very exciting and busy year for the Pymble Sailing team!
This season Mr Rob Brewer joined the Pymble team as coach to motivate the girls with a strong focus on goal setting. The first of these goals was enjoyment, followed by skill, confidence, teamwork and finally the results would follow.
Mr Brewer worked alongside Mr Bijkerk and the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) to train our Junior School, Secondary Learn to Sail and Secondary Advanced Team over Term 4 2020 and Term 1 2021. The team is beyond grateful to have received such amazing support from these coaches.
The Pymble Sailing team competed in regattas throughout the season including the ACT State Championships, SheSails Regatta, and the NSW Secondary Schools Teams Racing Championships.
The NSW State Championships Regatta, hosted at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron in Kirribilli, was a chance to show off all the hard work and training with races on the harbour. This brought new challenges as we had to race in a ferry channel and on rough water. The girls achieved some amazing results – winning the Best Girls’ School in NSW and the third Best Overall School in NSW. This was Pymble’s first Sailing team to qualify for the Australian Secondary Schools Teams Racing Championships. Unfortunately, Nationals were cancelled, however the girls should be very proud of their 2021 season.
Individually, Isabella Holdsworth and Olivia Williams, Year 11, achieved some extraordinary results. Isabella was consistently placed in the top three of the allgirls group throughout the regattas she competed in, and consistently placed in the top ten against the 29er fleet. Isabella achieved her best result coming second overall in the RPAYC Championships. Olivia placed a consistent top 20 overall and her best result was fourth in the all-girls at the East Coast Championships. Congratulations to Sara Bruce, Year 9, who competed at the NSW Optimist State Sailing Championships in 2021. Sara achieved First Female and claimed fifth place overall. Fantastic work Sara!
In 2021, Pymble introduced an Opti Sailing program for students in Years 5 and 6. It was impressive to watch our fleet of Opti sailors acquire and develop their skills in Term 1.
On behalf of the Sailing team, thank you to the Sailing Co-ordinator, Mr EllwoodHall, and the RPAYC team for encouraging and supporting us, and thank you to Miss Rees for being our team mum on our ACT trip.
I wish the team the best of luck for the upcoming Sailing season. To the new Captain, Isabella Holdsworth, Year 11, all the best in your new role, I know you will lead the team with pride and strength.
Isabella Green, Captain of Sailing
SAILING RESULTS
ACT Teams Racing Regatt
1st Female School Champions
2nd Overall School Champions
SheSails Regatta
SAILING AWARDS
Year 12
Isabella Green
Year 11
Blue
Isabella Holdsworth, Olivia Williams
Year 10
Blue Clio Moran, Chantelle Wu
Year 9
Tiffany Mak, Charlotte Wykes
Isabella Green, Isabella Holdsworth, Tiffany Mak, Clio Moran, Olivia Williams, Chantelle Wu, Charlotte Wykes
1st
Isabella Green, Isabella Holdsworth, Tiffany Mak, Olivia Williams, Chantelle Wu, Charlotte Wykes
Best Girls’ School in NSW Teams Racing Championships
NSW Secondary Schools
3rd Best Overall School in NSW
5th Team in NSW
First Pymble Sailing Team to qualify for Nationals
Isabella Green, Isabella Holdsworth, Tiffany Mak, Clio Moran, Olivia Williams, Chantelle Wu, Charlotte Wykes
Sailing
This was Pymble’s first Sailing team to qualify for the Australian Secondary Schools Teams Racing Championships.
SAILING REPRESENTATIVES
Pymble Representatives
Isabella Green, Isabella Holdsworth, Tiffany Mak, Clio Moran, Olivia Williams, Chantelle Wu, Charlotte Wykes
Snow Sports / Softball
SNOW SPORTS CAPTAIN’S REPORT
In my 13 years at Pymble, I have had the privilege to see and be a part of the development of the Snow Sports program. I am truly honoured to be a part of such a fantastic group of fun girls and talented staff. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store.
Reflecting on 2021 reveals the sad realisation that the pandemic had a lasting impact on our sport. Despite the cancellation of snow competitions for the last two years, the girls remained diligent in their training and optimistic. Staff looked to rebuilding relations within the team and made use of Vision Valley to inspire bonds of friendship through enjoyable and cooperative activities. Dry-land training also saw the team utilise the equipment in the Gymnastics centre at Pymble to practise and meet the physical demands of the next season.
Lastly, I am proud to say that the 2021 Pymble Snow Sports Dinner commemorated the Snow Sport athletes of the graduating class of 2021 as the most successful year group in the College thus far.
It was an absolute pleasure and I wish everyone well. Continue to strive for your best.
SOFTBALL CAPTAIN’S REPORT
The 2021 season of Softball at Pymble was one for the ages. Starting in Term 4 2020, the Softball program began with specialist skills sessions on Friday afternoons which saw great improvement from many of our first-time players.
Starting off the new year, we were ecstatic to welcome six teams in the group with two in each age group. This was a huge improvement in numbers and a testament to the hard work of the coaches, players and staff.
The Senior First, Junior First and Junior Second teams started the season strongly with fantastic wins to establish a name for Pymble in the competition. Each Pymble team and player showed improvement and spirit throughout the season. The amazing season of softball would not have been possible without the support and commitment of our dedicated and passionate coaches. Our coaches turned up through rain, hail and shine as well as through the freezing cold conditions. Thank you to all our coaches for this season – you were supportive, encouraging, and most importantly – fun! Thank you to Mr Ellwood-Hall, our Softball Co-ordinator, for your time and energy, we greatly appreciated it.
Kyra Wheatley, Captain of Snow SportsEmma Fryer, Captain of Softball Kyra Wheatley, Year 12 Emma Fryer, Year 12 Claire Rogers, Year 12
Softball
SOFTBALL AWARDS
Year 12
Red
Emma Fryer, Shivani Mehta, Claire Rogers, Amelia Sim
Year 11
Red Alicia Ahn
Year 10
Red
Sumeera Chabra, Sophie Christopher, Miki Culver, Emma Lau, Savanna Lumley, Rhedyn Wong
Year 9
Red Lara Groves-Berry, Isabella Rudd, Sivi Thomas, Demitria Volos
Year 8
Red
Phoebe Bucknell, Isabella Chen, Evelyn Gal, Freya Howes, Emily Mitchell, Madeline Taylor
SOFTBALL REPRESENTATIVE
IGSA Representative
Rhedyn Wong
SOFTBALL RESULTS
Pymble 1
Alicia Ahn, Sumeera Chabra, Sophie Christopher, Miki Culver, Emma Fryer, Emma Lau, Savanna Lumley, Shivani Mehta, Claire Rogers, Amelia Sim, Rhedyn Wong
1st
Pymble 4 7th
Annabel Davidson, Maiya Foster, Sophia Lim, Ella O’Dea, Lily Owler, Jinny Rho, Lily Stallan, Katie Sung, Candace Xi, Angelin Wu
Pymble 5
Pymble 2 5th
Madeleine Coman, Kyana Cvetkovic, Christine Hur, Annelise Koh, Alexandra Luxton, Jocelyn Mar, Eloise Muller, Chanel Napolitano, Helen Nguyen, Rachel Rao, Sienna Srikanth, Angel Yu, Bella Zhang
Pymble 3
Phoebe Bucknell, Isabella Chen, Evelyn Gal, Lara Groves-Berry, Freya Howes, Emily Mitchell, Isabella Rudd, Madeline Taylor, Sivi Thomas, Demitria Volos
5th
4th
Sofia Altorf, Stella Boyle, Amelia Brandon, Tia Brown, Isabel Donald, Adison Hartog-Smith, Selina Huang, Ruby Lyons, Ruby Scarf
Pymble 6
6th
Samantha Fahy, Holly Graham, Eloisa Hunt, Sienna Phair, Emmeline Powell, Rithika Ravi, Isabella Rumble, Sybella Simson, Mia Solomons, Sophia Wu, Emily Zhong
SENIOR FIRSTS
JUNIOR FIRSTS
Surfing
SURFING CAPTAIN’S REPORT
2021 proved to be an exciting year for surfing at Pymble. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, our fantastic Co-ordinator, Miss Rees, and Pymble coach, Mrs Clyne, guided our team through an exciting and successful year of surfing.
This year, Pymble’s partnership with Chix Surf School provided a comprehensive surf coaching program for Pymble girls. With Pymble buses running to and from the beach, and programs catering from beginner to advanced coaching, we saw a large increase in participation from students.
While the beginner program provided an opportunity for girls to step outside their comfort zones and learn to surf with their friends, the intermediate and advanced programs saw students involved in swim training, skateboarding, strength and conditioning and video analysis coaching. This provided girls with the confidence to surf in all conditions and was highly beneficial for the growth and development of all surfing abilities.
Unfortunately, many surfing events were cancelled this year, including the High School Regional Titles, where four of our students were planning to compete. However, Cayla Phillips, Year 11, was excited to surf in the NSW Junior State Titles which gave the opportunity to surf new breaks and learn whilst catching up with friends. Additionally, our team of five surfers ranging from Years 7 to 12 was able to compete in the annual Lifeline High Schools Surf Challenge at Curl Curl Beach. The team performed extremely well given the conditions and earned a close second place. This was a memorable experience for our team and served as a great introduction into competitive surfing for our younger girls.
We are excited to see what the new year brings for surfing at Pymble and look forward to welcoming students into the team in Term 1.
Cayla Phillips, Captain of Surfing
SURFING RESULTS
Lifeline High Schools Surf Challenge
Maya Atkinson, Tessa Newitt, Cayla Phillips, Isobel Gosper, Alexis Cameron 2nd
Swimming
SWIMMING CAPTAIN’S REPORT
This year’s swim season commenced with the Secondary School Swimming Carnival. We saw many fast swims with an outstanding five new records. Lots of cheering and enthusiasm was given by all the girls present, with many deciding to take part in races to earn points for their House. In the end, Goodlet came out on top with 1,098 points, giving them a 91-point lead over Bennett.
IGSA
In preparation for this year’s IGSA Swimming Carnival, swimmers took advantage of our team values by adopting the theme of ‘Harry Potter’. Once our squad was divided into the four Hogwarts Houses, each girl was able to use their chosen strength (bravery, loyalty, intelligence or cunning) to help develop the strong and united team of girls who walked into the arena on race day.
The IGSA carnival was held on Friday 26 March. This saw the team competing, cheering, and lathering on temporary tattoos and face paint. Our spirit not only enabled us to achieve the win for the fourth consecutive year, but also a sweep of all three age categories. We also won all seven relays on the day – a feat never achieved by any school in the history of IGSA. At our final dinner for IGSA, we were fortunate to have Olympian Ian Thorpe OAM address our team to send a message of owning our mantra of powerful women.
CIS and All Schools
Following the IGSA carnival, 19 Pymble girls went on to represent our school at the CIS Swimming Championships in individual events. The performances of each girl were exceptional, with two championship records broken by Pymble girls and 20 first places achieved. Following on from CIS, we had many girls go on to represent CIS at the NSW All Schools carnival, with the Pymble girls once again swimming incredibly. The fast times achieved at this meet saw every heat swim by a Pymble girl guarantee them a final. We also had seven Pymble girls selected for the NSW team to compete at the School Sport Australia Championships, which unfortunately were cancelled for 2021.
Australian Olympic Trials
In June, we were lucky to have the opportunity to compete at the Australian Olympic Trials in Adelaide. With our team of nine current and alumni girls, we were able to experience racing against real Olympians, competing in a more intense environment, and having a genuinely fun week of swimming. A big congratulations to Ellie Beck, Year 9, Grace Gerreyn, Year 9, Hayley Johnston, Year 10, Bella Zhang, Year 10, Adriana Fydler, Year 12, Elizabeth Gan, Year 12, Claudia Fydler (2019), Georgia Peregrina (2019), and Paris Zhang (2014), who all qualified and competed at this high-level event.
Thanks
A big thank you to Mr Lawrence, Mr Rodrigues, Mr Qu, Mrs Thomas and Miss Speechley who made up the Pymble coaching staff, and to Miss Moore who was our amazing team manager. Without their effort and investment into the program, we would not be as organised or successful.
As a final note, my congratulations to all the girls on a fantastic season! I am beyond honoured to have been the captain of this beautiful team and to have led us to a fourth straight IGSA victory. I am so very proud of you all and I truly believe that the team spirit, determination and energy within this program will only continue to grow. Best of luck to 2022 captain Angelica Tan, Year 11, and next year’s IGSA team.
Adriana Fydler, Captain of Swimming
Swimming
SECONDARY SCHOOL SWIMMING CARNIVAL RESULTS
Open 200m Individual Medley
Bella Zhang 1st Adriana Fydler 2nd Ellie Beck 3rd
12 Years 50m Freestyle
Annalise Chow 1st Louisa Heritage 2nd Ananya Upmanyue 3rd
13 Years 50m Freestyle
Annika Lee 1st Jennifer Chong 2nd Sarah Tian 3rd
14 Years 50m Freestyle
Hannah Morton 1st Indianna Cameron 2nd Samara Bond 3rd
15 Years 50m Freestyle
Bella Zhang 1st Grace Gerreyn 2nd Ellie Beck 3rd
16 Years 50m Freestyle
Samantha Lever 1st Emma Sargeant 2nd Jessica Needham 3rd
17 Years 50m Freestyle
Angelica Tan 1st Chloe Small 2nd Margaret Williams 3rd
18 Years and Over 50m Freestyle
Adriana Fydler 1st Elizabeth Gan 2nd Katherine Gibson 3rd
12 Years 50m Backstroke
Louisa Heritage 1st Adison Hartog-Smith 2nd Mea Shires 3rd
13 Years 50m Backstroke
Annika Lee 1st Sarah Tian 2nd Harriet Harding 3rd
14 Years 50m Backstroke
Hannah Morton 1st Jessica Cullen 2nd Arabella Cox 3rd
15 Years 50m Backstroke
Ellie Beck 1st Record Hayley Johnston 2nd Grace Gerreyn 3rd
16 Years 50m Backstroke
Samantha Lever 1st Chloe Kwan 2nd Saskia Willoughby-Winlaw 3rd
17 Years 50m Backstroke
Chloe Small 1st Siobhan Dubois 2nd Margaret Williams 3rd
18 Years and Over 50m
Backstroke
Elizabeth Gan 1st Record Adriana Fydler 2nd Katherine Gibson 3rd
12 Years 50m Breaststroke
Annalise Chow 1st Ananya Upmanyue 2nd Anita Clark 3rd
13 Years 50m Breaststroke
Sarah Tian 1st Annika Lee 2nd Lucy Xie 3rd
14 Years 50m Breaststroke
Jaya Lilienthal 1st Indianna Cameron 2nd Susannah Su 3rd
15 Years 50m Breaststroke
Bella Zhang 1st Record Grace Gerreyn 2nd Piper Gregory-Reid 3rd
16 Years 50m Breaststroke
Chloe Kwan 1st Cayla Phillips 2nd Samantha Lever 3rd
17 Years 50m Breaststroke
Margaret Williams 1st Amelia Hinrichsen 2nd Siobhan Dubois 3rd
18 Years and Over 50m
Breaststroke
Katherine Gibson 1st
Adriana Fydler 2nd Elizabeth Gan 3rd
Junior 100m Freestyle
Hannah Morton 1st Jaya Lilienthal 2nd Indianna Cameron 3rd
Intermediate 100m Freestyle
Bella Zhang 1st Grace Gerreyn 2nd Ellie Beck 3rd
Senior 100m Freestyle
Adriana Fydler 1st Angelica Tan 2nd Katherine Gibson 3rd
12 Years 50m Butterfly
Annalise Chow 1st Adison Hartog-Smith 2nd Ananya Upmanyue 3rd
13 Years 50m Butterfly
Annika Lee 1st Jennifer Chong 2nd Lucy Xie 3rd
14 Years 50m Butterfly
Hannah Morton 1st Samara Bond 2nd Indianna Cameron 3rd Jessica Cullen 3rd
15 Years 50m Butterfly
Hayley Johnston 1st Record Bella Zhang 2nd Grace Gerreyn 3rd
16 Years 50m Butterfly
Samantha Lever 1st Chloe Kwan 2nd Saskia Willoughby-Winlaw 3rd
17 Years 50m Butterfly
Chloe Small 1st Angelica Tan 2nd Siobhan Dubois 3rd
18 Years and Over 50m Butterfly
Elizabeth Gan 1st Adriana Fydler 2nd Katherine Gibson 3rd
Open 50m Multi Class Freestyle Championship
Kailyn Joseph 1st Sybella Warton 2nd Yi Ying Lim 3rd Siana Barto 4th
Swimming
Open 50m Freestyle Championship
Bella Zhang 1st
Elizabeth Gan 2nd Grace Gerreyn 3rd Adriana Fydler 4th
Ellie Beck 5th
Samara Bond 6th Indianna Cameron 7th Hayley Johnston 8th
IGSA SWIMMING
CARNIVAL RESULTS
Annalise Chow
12 Years 50m Freestyle 5th
12 Years 50m Breaststroke 12th
12 Years 50m Butterfly 3rd
Louisa Heritage
12 Years 50m Backstroke 6th
Sarah Tian
13 Years 50m Breaststroke 6th
Samara Bond
14 Years 50m Butterfly 2nd
Jessica Cullen
15 Year 50m Backstroke 2nd
Annika Lee
13 Years 50m Freestyle 1st
13 Years 50m Backstroke 1st
13 Years 50m Butterfly 1st
Jaya Lilienthal
14 Years 50m Breaststroke 2nd
Sybella Warton
Open MC 50m Freestyle 5th
Open MC 50m Breaststroke 2nd
Ellie Beck
17 Years 50m Freestyle 3rd
17 Years 50m Backstroke 2nd
Grace Gerreyn
15 Years 50m Freestyle 1st
15 Years 50m Butterfly 2nd
Hannah Morton
14 Years 50m Freestyle 2nd
14 Years 50m Backstroke 1st
Junior 100m Freestyle 2nd
Siana Barto
Open MC 50m Freestyle 12th
Hayley Johnston
16 Years 50m Freestyle 4th
16 Years 50m Backstroke 1st
16 Years 50m Butterfly 1st
Chloe Kwan
16 Years 50m Breaststroke 2nd
Yi Ying Lim
Open MC 50m Freestyle 11th
Open MC 50m Backstroke 5th
Bella Zhang
Open 200m Individual Medley 2nd
15 Years 50m Breaststroke 1st Intermediate 100m Freestyle 1st
Margaret Williams
17 Years 50m Breaststroke 2nd
Elizabeth Gan
18 Years and Over 50m
Backstroke 1st
18 Years and Over 50m Butterfly 1st
Katherine Gibson
18 Years and Over 50m Breaststroke 2nd
Adriana Fydler
18 Years and Over 50m Freestyle 1st Senior 100m Freestyle 2nd Open 200m Freestyle 2nd
Kailyn Joseph
Open MC 50m Freestyle 4th
Chloe Small
17 Years 50m Butterfly 2nd
Junior Medley Relay 1st Lucinda Wlossak, Jaya Lilienthal, Samara Bond, Hannah Morton
Intermediate Medley Relay 1st Jessica Cullen, Bella Zhang, Hayley Johnston, Grace Gerreyn
IGSA SWIMMING AND DIVING TEAM
Swimming
Senior Medley Relay 1st Elizabeth Gan, Margaret Williams, Chloe Small, Adriana Fydler
Junior Freestyle Relay 1st
Indianna Cameron, Jaya Lilienthal, Lucinda Wlossak, Samara Bond
Intermediate Freestyle Relay 1st Grace Gerreyn, Jessica Munk, Piper Gregory-Reid, Bella Zhang
Senior Freestyle Relay 1st Ellie Beck, Angelica Tan, Elizabeth Gan, Adriana Fydler
All Age Relay 1st
Annalise Chow, Annika Lee, Indianna Cameron, Piper GregoryReid, Samantha Lever, Angelica Tan
CIS SWIMMING RESULTS
CIS All Age 6x50m Freestyle Relay 1st
Annalise Chow, Annika Lee, Hannah Morton, Grace Gerreyn, Saskia Willoughby-Winlaw, Adriana Fydler
Senior 4x50m Freestyle Relay 1st Angelica Tan, Elizabeth Gan, Piper Gregory-Reid, Adriana Fydler
Senior 4x50m Medley Relay 1st Elizabeth Gan, Margaret Williams, Chloe Small, Adriana Fydler
Intermediate 4x50m Freestyle Relay 1st Grace Gerreyn, Jessica Munk, Ellie Beck, Bella Zhang
Intermediate 4x50m Medley Relay 1st Ellie Beck, Bella Zhang, Hayley Johnston, Grace Gerreyn
Junior 4x50m Freestyle Relay 1st Hannah Morton, Indianna Cameron, Samara Bond, Lucinda Wlossak
Junior 4x50m Medley Relay 2nd
Jessica Cullen, Jaya Lilienthal, Samara Bond, Hannah Morton
12 Years
Annalise Chow 50m Freestyle 8th
13 Years
Annika Lee
50m Freestyle 4th 50m Breaststroke 5th 50m Backstroke 1st 50m Butterfly 3rd 100m Freestyle 5th
14 Years
Samara Bond 50m Butterfly 3rd
Indianna Cameron 200m Freestyle 8th 200m Individual Medley 1st 200m Breaststroke 2nd
Jessica Cullen 50m Backstroke 2nd 100m Backstroke 4th 200m Backstroke 7th
Jaya Lilienthal 50m Breaststroke 3rd 100m Breaststroke 2nd
Hannah Morton 50m Freestyle 1st 50m Backstroke 1st 100m Freestyle 2nd 100m Backstroke 2nd 100m Butterfly 3rd 200m Freestyle 2nd 200m Individual Medley 2nd 200m Backstroke 8th
Lucinda Wlossak
50m Backstroke 4th 100m Backstroke 5th 200m Backstroke 3rd
15 Years
Ellie Beck
50m Backstroke 1st 100m Backstroke 1st 200m Backstroke 1st
Grace Gerreyn
50m Freestyle 4th 50m Breaststroke 5th 50m Butterfly 3rd 100m Freestyle 5th 100m Butterfly 4th 200m Individual Medley 5th
Piper Gregory-Reid
50m Breaststroke 4th 200m Individual Medley 5th
Hayley Johnston
50m Butterfly 2nd 100m Butterfly 3rd 200m Butterfly 3rd
Yi Ying Lim
MC 50m Backstroke 4th
Bella Zhang
50m Freestyle 1st 50m Breaststroke 1st Record 100m Freestyle 1st 100m Breaststroke 2nd 200m Breaststroke 2nd 200m Individual Medley 1st
16 Years
Samantha Lever 50m Butterfly 5th 100m Freestyle 6th 200m Freestyle 8th
17 Years
Chloe Small 50m Butterfly 5th
Margaret Williams 50m Breaststroke 2nd 100m Breaststroke 3rd
18 Years
Adriana Fydler
50m Freestyle 2nd 50m Backstroke 3rd 100m Freestyle 2nd 100m Backstroke 1st Record 200m Freestyle 3rd 200m Backstroke 1st
Elizabeth Gan
50m Backstroke 1st 50m Butterfly 1st
Swimming SWIMMING AWARDS
NSW ALL SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS
All Age 6x50m
Freestyle Relay 1st
Annalise Chow, Annika Lee, Hannah Morton, Grace Gerreyn, Saskia Willoughby-Winlaw, Adriana Fydler
Senior 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 1st
Angelica Tan, Elizabeth Gan, Piper Gregory-Reid, Adriana Fydler
Senior 4x50m
Medley Relay 2nd
Elizabeth Gan, Chloe Kwan, Chloe Small, Adriana Fydler
Intermediate 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 1st
Grace Gerreyn, Jessica Munk, Ellie Beck, Bella Zhang
Intermediate 4x50m
Medley Relay 1st
Ellie Beck, Bella Zhang, Hayley Johnston, Grace Gerreyn
Junior 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 1st
Hannah Morton, Indianna Cameron, Samara Bond, Lucinda Wlossak
Junior 4x50m
Medley Relay 2nd Jessica Cullen, Jaya Lilienthal, Samara Bond, Hannah Morton
13 Years
Annika Lee
50m Backstroke 1st 50m Butterfly 3rd
14 Years
Samara Bond 50m Butterfly 5th
Indianna Cameron
200m Individual Medley 1st 200m Breaststroke 4th 400m Individual Medley 8th
Jessica Cullen
50m Backstroke 6th
Jaya Lilienthal
100m Breaststroke 7th 50m Breaststroke 9th
Hannah Morton
100m Freestyle 1st
50m Freestyle 2nd 50m Backstroke 3rd 100m Backstroke 4th 200m Freestyle 4th 200m Individual Medley 5th 100m Butterfly 9th
Lucinda Wlossak
200m Backstroke 3rd
15 Years
Ellie Beck
50m Backstroke 1st 100m Backstroke 2nd 200m Backstroke 3rd
Grace Gerreyn
50m Butterfly 4th
Bella Zhang
50m Breaststroke 1st
200m Individual Medley 2nd 200m Breaststroke 3rd 50m Freestyle 3rd 100m Freestyle 4th 100m Breaststroke 5th
18 Years
Adriana Fydler
100m Backstroke 1st 200m Backstroke 1st 50m Freestyle 3rd 50m Backstroke 3rd 100m Freestyle 3rd
Elizabeth Gan 50m Backstroke 2nd 50m Butterfly 5th
Year 12 Blue
Siobhan Dubois, Adriana Fydler, Elizabeth Gan, Katherine Gibson, Kailyn Joseph, Chloe Small
Year 11
Blue
Jessica Needham, Angelica Tan, Margaret Williams
Year 10
Silver Bella Zhang Blue
Siana Barto, Hayley Johnston, Chloe Kwan, Yi Ying Lim, Jessica Munk, Emma Sargeant, Saskia Willoughby-Winlaw
Year 9
Silver Hannah Morton Blue
Ellie Beck, Arabella Cox, Grace Gerreyn, Piper Gregory-Reid, Lucinda Wlossak
Year 8
Silver Indianna Cameron Blue
Samara Bond, Jessica Cullen, Annika Lee, Jaya Lilienthal, Sybella Warton
Year 7
Blue
Annalise Chow, Louisa Heritage, Sarah Tian
Swimming
SWIMMING REPRESENTATIVES
Pymble Representatives
Siana Barto, Ellie Beck, Samara Bond, Indianna Cameron, Annalise Chow, Arabella Cox, Jessica Cullen, Siobhan Dubois, Adriana Fydler, Elizabeth Gan, Grace Gerreyn, Katherine Gibson, Piper Gregory-Reid, Louisa Heritage, Hayley Johnston, Kailyn Joseph, Chloe Kwan, Annika Lee, Samantha Lever, Jaya Lilienthal, Yi Ying Lim, Hannah Morton, Jessica Munk, Jessica Needham, Emma Sargeant, Chloe Small, Angelica Tan, Sarah Tian, Sybella Warton, Margaret Williams, Saskia Willoughby-Winlaw, Lucinda Wlossak, Bella Zhang
IGSA Representatives
Ellie Beck, Samara Bond, Indianna Cameron, Annalise Chow, Jessica Cullen, Adriana Fydler, Elizabeth Gan, Grace Gerreyn, Piper Gregory-Reid, Hayley Johnston, Chloe Kwan, Annika Lee, Samantha Lever, Jaya Lilienthal, Yi Ying Lim, Hannah Morton, Jessica Munk, Chloe Small, Angelica Tan, Margaret Williams, Saskia Willoughby-Winlaw, Lucinda Wlossak, Bella Zhang
NSWCIS Representatives
Ellie Beck, Samara Bond, Indianna Cameron, Annalise Chow, Jessica Cullen, Adriana Fydler, Elizabeth Gan, Grace Gerreyn, Piper Gregory-Reid, Chloe Kwan, Annika Lee, Jaya Lilienthal, Hannah Morton, Jessica Munk, Chloe Small, Angelica Tan, Saskia Willoughby-Winlaw, Lucinda Wlossak, Bella Zhang
Swimming
JUNIOR – IPSHA SWIMMING RESULTS
Amalia Bond
11 to 13 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 2nd
11 Years 50m Freestyle 8th
11 Years 50m Breaststroke 7th
Amelia Carlan
12 to 13 Years 50m Freestyle 49th
Megan Chia
11 Years 50m Freestyle 6th
11 Years 50m Butterfly 4th
Emma Deere
8 Years 50m Freestyle 1st
Gemma Dixon
8 to 10 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 1st
10 Years 50m Freestyle 11th
8 to 10 Years 50m Breaststroke 22nd
Oriana Fenton
9 Years 50m Freestyle 8th
Imogen Jones
11 Years 50m Backstroke 6th
11 Years 50m Breaststroke 4th
Annabelle Li
11 to 13 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 2nd
12 to 13 Years 50m Freestyle 4th
12 to 13 Years 50m Backstroke 11th
8 to 13 Years 100m Freestyle 3rd
12 to 13 Years 50m Butterfly 3rd
Anne Liu
8 to 10 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 1st
10 Years 50m Freestyle 4th
8 to 10 Years 50m Backstroke 5th
8 to 10 Years 50m Butterfly 4th
Maya Ostapenko
11 to 13 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 2nd
12 to 13 Years 50m Freestyle 15th
12 to 13 Years 50m
Breaststroke 11th
Jessica Persson
11 to 13 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 2nd
11 Years 50m Freestyle 7th
11 Years 50m Backstroke 11th
11 Years 50m Butterfly 6th
Amélie Rahme
9 Years 50m Freestyle 5th
Charlotte Sadler
8 to 10 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 1st
10 Years 50m Freestyle 25th
8 to 10 Years 50m Breaststroke 9th
8 to 10 Years 50m Butterfly 12th
Zara Sandham
11 Years 50m Freestyle 9th
Chloé Shires
9 Years 50m Freestyle 7th
Jiayi Thong
8 to 10 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 1st
10 Years 50m Freestyle 6th
8 to 10 Years 50m Backstroke 11th
Maile Wilson
12 to 13 Years 50m Freestyle 27th
12 to 13 Years 50m Backstroke 2nd
12 to 13 Years 50m Butterfly 17th
Lily Zhang
9 Years 50m Freestyle 24th
Swimming
NSWCIS PRIMARY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Amalia Bond
11 to 13 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 2nd
Megan Chia
11 Years 50m Butterfly 7th
Emma Deere
8 Years 50m Freestyle 6th
Gemma Dixon
8 to 10 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 1st
Imogen Jones
11 Years 50m Breaststroke 4th
Annabelle Li
11 to 13 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 2nd
12 to 13 Years 50m Freestyle 7th
12 to 13 Years 50m Butterfly 6th
8 to 13 Years 100m Freestyle 9th
Anne Liu
8 to 10 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 1st
10 Years 50m Freestyle 5th
8 to 10 Years 50m Backstroke 3rd
8 to 10 Years 50m Butterfly 5th
Maya Ostapenko
11 to 13 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 2nd
Jessica Persson
11 to 13 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 2nd
Amélie Rahme
9 Years 50 Freestyle 14th
Charlotte Sadler
8 to 10 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 1st
Jiayi Thong
8 to 10 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 1st
Maile Wilson
12 to 13 Years 50m Backstroke 2nd
NSW PSSA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Amalia Bond
11 to 13 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 3rd
Gemma Dixon
8 to 10 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 1st
Annabelle Li
11 to 13 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 3rd
Anne Liu
8 to 10 Years 50m Backstroke 8th
8 to 10 Years 200m
Individual Medley 21st
8 to 10 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 1st
Maya Ostapenko
11 to 13 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 3rd
Jessica Persson
11 to 13 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 3rd
Charlotte Sadler
8 to 10 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 1st
Jiayi Thong
8 to 10 Years 4x50m
Freestyle Relay 1st
Maile Wilson
12 to 13 Years 50m Backstroke 10th
JUNIOR SWIMMING REPRESENTATIVES
Pymble Representatives
Amalia Bond, Amelia Carlan, Megan Chia, Emma Deere, Gemma Dixon, Oriana Fenton, Imogen Jones, Annabelle Li, Anne Liu, Maya Ostapenko, Jessica Persson, Amélie Rahme, Charlotte Sadler, Zara Sandham, Chloé Shires, Jiayi Thong, Maile Wilson, Lily Zhang
IPSHA Representatives
Amalia Bond, Megan Chia, Emma Deere, Gemma Dixon, Imogen Jones, Annabelle Li, Anne Liu, Maya Ostapenko, Jessica Persson, Amélie Rahme, Charlotte Sadler, Jiayi Thong, Maile Wilson
NSWCIS Junior Representatives
Amalia Bond, Gemma Dixon, Annabelle Li, Anne Liu, Maya Ostapenko, Jessica Persson, Charlotte Sadler, Jiayi Thong, Maile Wilson
Taekwondo
TAEKWONDO REPORT
It was an unorthodox Taekwondo program at Pymble in 2021. Before the interruptions with online learning, the students completed two grading exams. During Term 3 and Term 4, Taekwondo students continued practising their skills and training at home. The Taekwondo program offered online general fitness training through Jack and Jules Live Fitness Sessions and Online Taekwondo classes run by our coaches from Wylie Taekwondo.
The Taekwondo program is a modern martial art that is characterised by fast high spinning kicks, blocks and punches. This form of self-defence develops aerobic fitness, muscular endurance, power and core strength.
The self-discipline this type of training develops is a huge testament to how the students carried themselves throughout online learning.
The Pymble team would like to thank our coaches from Wylie Taekwondo for all their hard work and dedication in helping our students. Our coaching staff would also like to acknowledge the following students for their hard work and dedication during the course of the year. From the Junior program, congratulations to Claudia Wyatt, Gemma Dixon and Emily Woods-McConville, Year 5, for being outstanding red belts who displayed great leadership and determination as well as motivation towards their Taekwondo. A further congratulations to Alana Gao, Year 9, and Isabella Cameron, Year 10, from our Senior program on their dedication, hard work and continuous effort to advance their skills.
Finally, congratulations to all the girls who were a part of the Taekwondo program this year. It was a tough year and the way you all carried yourselves was very rewarding to see. I hope that you will continue your training in 2022.
Miss Megan O’Keeffe, Co-ordinator of Taekwondo
Tennis
TENNIS CAPTAIN’S REPORT – TERM 1
IGSA
In Term 1 2021, Pymble entered 29 teams in the IGSA competition. All girls worked hard during their morning and afternoon training sessions and played with great spirit throughout the term. We had several teams make it to the finals. A special mention to Pymble 4, Pymble 8 and Pymble 17 who came first in their divisions. Well done girls!
Tildesley
From Term 4 2020, our Pymble Tildesley squad began preparing for the 2021 Tildesley tournament held in March. Our team of girls from Years 7 to 12 created many memories over the six months in the gym, on the court and laughing off court with the coaches.
We had many beneficial workshops to improve every part of our game with tips on mental strength, fitness, agility and teamwork. We also had an enjoyable time during bonding activities as we had water balloon fights, embarked on an amazing race around the school and had a trivia night!
Fast forward to March and our girls competed in the Tildesley tournament. It was a remarkable three days and although it rained, we finished the tournament with excellent results! Both the singles and doubles girl fought hard on the court and were backed up by the extremely loud screaming of the whole Pymble team sitting on the side.
TENNIS AWARDS
Year 12
Red Emily Bannister, Danielle Rusman, Chelsea Taylor, Elizabeth Zhu Chan
Year 11
Thanks
Thank you to all the coaches that made the Tildesley season so successful and memorable. All the organisation, spirit and lessons were greatly appreciated. Thank you to the girls for being so hard working and creating a great atmosphere for tennis this year. I will forever remember the early mornings and dance parties by your side. Good luck to the future of Pymble Tennis!
Red Olivia Barton, Isabella Bunce, Amelia Fantham, Olivia Harvey, Emily Horne, Annika Johnson, Hayley Leighton, Sophie McGee, Chanel Rowley, Haley Spring, Scarlett Stewart
Year 10
Blue
Annabel Brown, Ashlee Narker
Red
Rachel Johnson, Eloise Kinchington, Ashleigh Robson, Emma Sargeant, Angela Yang
Year 9
Blue
Giselle Kawane, Michaela-Jayne Kennedy, Claudia Offer, Susannah Su, Sofia Thorne, Sienna Warden
Red
Nina Baikie, Vanessa Liu, Sophie Ma, Sofia McIntosh, Carolina Yemma
Year 8
Red Elizabeth Bull, Ines Danziger, Zara Le Hoang, Zoe Le Hoang, Ella van Horen, Olivia Xu
Congratulations to everyone on the team. Everyone worked hard and should be proud of what they achieved.Danielle Rusman, Captain of Tennis Danielle Rusman, Year 12 Haley Spring and Chanel Rowley, Year 11
TERM 1 IGSA TENNIS RESULTS
Pymble 1 2nd
Eloise Kinchington, Ashlee Narker, Danielle Rusman, Chelsea Taylor, Sofia Thorne
Pymble 2 2nd
Annabel Brown, Rachel Johnson, Emma Sargeant, Scarlett Stewart, Elizabeth Zhu Chan
Pymble 3 4th
Emily Horne, Annika Johnson, Hayley Leighton, Chanel Rowley, Haley Spring
Pymble 4 1st
Emily Bannister, Isabella Bunce, Amelia Fantham, Olivia Harvey, Sophie McGee
Pymble 5 2nd
Olivia Barton, Kristen Ma, Olivia Ma, Georgina Pechan, Ashleigh Robson, Angela Yang
Pymble 6 5th
Matilda Barwick, Genevieve Chu, Chloe Moore, Lauren Solness, Jade Yang, Angela Ye
Pymble 7 4th
Nikita Cahyadi, Sophie Chamberlain, Sarah Chan, Rachel Kang, Sophia Yin
Pymble 8 1st
Lara Hogan, Niraaya Jayasinghe, Isabelle Kellaway, Georgina Maher, Rosanna van Horen
Pymble 9 2nd Holly Jackson, Ophelia Speed, Claire Sun, Sarah Thornton, Jessie Xie
Pymble 10 5th
Olivia Ogg, Danielle Reed, Jade Reed, Angeline Sum, Jessica Zhang
Pymble 11 6th
Nilan Esmaeili, Bomy Kim, Natasha Moore, Georgia Stuart
Pymble 12 3rd
Giselle Kawane, Michaela-Jayne Kennedy, Claudia Offer, Susannah Su, Sienna Warden
Pymble 13 6th Nina Baikie, Vanessa Liu, Sophie Ma, Olivia Xu, Carolina Yemma
Pymble 14 2nd
Elizabeth Bull, Ines Danziger, Zara Le Hoang, Zoe Le Hoang, Ella van Horen
Pymble 15 3rd
Claire Lee, Sofia McIntosh, Catherine Nachar, Alicia Slobodian, Claire Spring
Pymble 16 2nd
Natalia Antalfy, Isabel Aveling, Sophia Chen, Ashleigh Ip, Ayana Sapra
Pymble 17 1st
Emma Geng, Imogen Hawkins, Vicky Hu, Natalie Mead, Jacqueline Wo
Pymble 18 6th
Billie Fisher, Claudia Rathborne, Lucy Xie, Phoebe Yi
Pymble 19 2nd
Khatthaliya Elliott, Sophie Suttor, Jiya Tanna, Angel Wang, Echo Zhang
Pymble 20 3rd
Thinara Siriniwasa, Emika Tsumura, Karin Tsumura, Cynthia Xie
Pymble 21 8th
Ainslie Hampton, Angela Liu, Mia Tesoriero, Maya Turk, Freya Walesby
Pymble 22 4th
Ashley Chow, Sienna Hui, Latiah McMillan, Rebecca Ryan
Pymble 23 4th
Dorothy Li, Winter Shirvington, Jessica Zhai, Brianna Zhang
Pymble 24 7th
Sehjal Baveja, Leona Lin, Laura Makeham, Jessica Shi
Pymble 25 4th
Liuyi Cai, Soraya Catchpole, Jocelyn Ying, Cindy Zhou
Pymble 26 8th
Athena Chen, Amy Wang, May Zhang
Pymble 27 6th
Mia Lorimer, Hannah Miao, Maithili Nagarajah, Alice Yan
Pymble 28 2nd
Kaylee Ng, Katherine Pan, Charlotte Ruscio, Cynthia Shi
Pymble 29 7th
Lily Cao, Lillian Li, Katie Wong, Lucy Zhao
TILDESLEY RESULTS
Singles
First Round
Nina Baikie, Zara Le Hoang, Sophie Ma, Emma Sargeant, Carolina Yemma
Second Round
Emily Bannister, Rachel Johnson, Danielle Rusman, Sienna Warden, Elizabeth Zhu Chan
Third Round
Giselle Kawane, Eloise Kinchington, Susannah Su, Chelsea Taylor
Fourth Round Annabel Brown
Fifth Round Sofia Thorne
Sixth Round Ashlee Narker
Doubles
First Round
Olivia Harvey and Sophie McGee, Annika Johnson and Ashleigh Robson, Vanessa Liu and Angela Yang
Second Round
Emily Horne and Hayley Leighton, Isabella Bunce and Amelia Fantham, Olivia Barton and Sofia McIntosh
Third Round
Chanel Rowley and Haley Spring
Fifth Round
Michaela-Jayne Kennedy and Scarlett Stewart, Elizabeth Bull and Olivia Xu
SENIOR FIRSTS
JUNIOR FIRSTS
TERM 4 TENNIS REPORT
After a long break during lockdown, it was great to get our Pymble Tennis players back out on the court training and competing in the Term 4 IGSA Tennis program. The emphasis was on training back to match fitness and transitioning to interschool competitions in a less serious setting.
Although the scores weren’t recorded for this competition, our players greatly benefitted from the extra training and match practice. We can’t wait to see our tennis teams back in action in 2022 for the Term 1 IGSA Tennis and Tildesley Tennis season!
Mr Jufri Foss, Co-ordinator – TennisTERM 4 IGSA TENNIS TEAMS
Pymble 1
Annabel Brown, Eloise Kinchington, Claudia Offer, Scarlett Stewart
Pymble 2
Olivia Harvey, Annika Johnson, Rachel Johnson, Ashleigh Robson
Pymble 3
Olivia Barton, Emily Horne, Hayley Leighton, Chanel Rowley, Haley Spring
Pymble 4
Isabella Bunce, Emma Duggan, Amelia Fantham, Sophie McGee, Angela Yang
Pymble 5
Natalia Antalfy, Claire Lee, Catherine Nachar, Georgina Pechan, Claire Spring
Pymble 6
Isabel Aveling, Billie Fisher, Imogen Hawkins, Jasmine Li, Jiya Tanna
TERM 4 SENIOR FIRSTS
TERM 4 JUNIOR FIRSTS
Pymble 7
Holly Jackson, Angeline Sum, Claire Sun, Angela Ye
Pymble 8
Claudia Rathborne, Lucy Xie, Echo Zhang
Pymble 9
Elizabeth Bull, Ines Danziger, Winter Shirvington, Olivia Xu
Pymble 10
Sophia Chen, Emma Geng, Ashleigh Ip, Natalie Mead
Pymble 11
Dorothy Li, Jessica Zhai, Brianna Zhang, Cindy Zhou
Pymble 12
Emika Tsumura, Karin Tsumura, Jacqueline Wo
Pymble 13
Anita Clark, Penelope Danziger, Leona Lin, Charlotte Ruscio
Pymble 14
Ainslie Hampton, Rebecca Ryan, Mia Tesoriero, Freya Walesby
Pymble 15
Sehjal Baveja, Soraya Catchpole, Laura Makeham, Kaylee Ng, Jessica Shi
Pymble 16
Katherine Pan, Katie Wong, Alice Yan, Yilin Xie
Ines Danziger, Olivia Xu, Elizabeth Bull Absent: Winter Shirvington
Pymble 17
Lily Cao, Helen Huang, Hannah Miao, Lucy Zhao
JUNIOR SCHOOL TENNIS REPORT
This year, even though COVID-19 impacted all sports in general, the IPSHA Tennis team girls worked to the best of their abilities despite being online, and eventually in modified training sessions in Term 4. The team persevered throughout the year as they faced countless challenges such as lockdown which made it hard for them.
IPSHA Tennis is an opportunity for girls who are passionate about tennis to participate in Saturday sport and to enhance their skills and enter competitions. They showed great sportsmanship even though they had very limited matches. With the help of their amazing coaches, girls were involved in two training sessions a week with internal matches. They should be proud of the efforts they put into the program.
Leila Rich, Saskia Nicholson, Sanaya Lakhani and Camille Xiao, Year 6
IPSHA TENNIS PARTICIPANTS
Year 3
Aarna Ashwin, Sophie Chiang, Zoe Chong, Zoe Liang, Jannette Long, Chloe Morrison, Charlotte Wu, Abigail Wu, Olivia Zhou
Year 4
Madison Aikman, Orla Cottrell, Isabella Dong, Ariel Tuita, Audrey Wyldhill
Year 5
Isabel Cooke, Cabrini Lee, Abigail Martin, Olivia Pragassen, Kate Rogers, Stacy Sharp, Annie Xiao
Year 6
Saja Abdel-Megeed, Layla Abdel-Megeed, Isabella Aun, Annabelle Li, Isabelle Port, Stella Sharp, Emily Yu, Emily Zhai
Touch Football
TOUCH FOOTBALL CAPTAIN’S REPORT
Despite an impacted Touch Football season due to COVID-19, the Term 4 IGSA competition went ahead in a modified format with Pymble students demonstrating their enthusiasm in weekly trainings and games, not to mention the participation in the Term 3 online program.
Earlier in the year several Pymble students were selected to trial for the IGSA Representative teams. Congratulations to Sienna Bond, Year 11, who was selected for the IGSA Opens team and to Grace Townsend, Year 8, Mia Sams, Year 8, and Asha Goddard, Year 10, who were selected for the IGSA Under 15 team. Both teams competed at the NSWCIS Championships with the Opens team finishing top of the ladder with three wins and a draw. The Under 15 team finished second with four wins and one loss and from this competition Mia Sams and Grace Townsend, Year 8, were selected for the NSWCIS team, congratulations girls!
The Pymble Touch Football online sessions helped to prepare the girls for the Term 4 IGSA competition. The dedicated coaches worked hard to make sessions both fun and engaging. The sessions were educational and taught the girls a variety of new skills and techniques in the limited home training environments they had access to.
The Term 4 IGSA Touch Football competition ran in a modified format for four weeks with a focus on girls running around in the sunshine, enjoying all the benefits of physical activity and therefore the competition had no formal results or grade winners. Well done to all teams and players for their positive and competitive attitude.
Thank you to the Pymble Touch Football coaches, referees and parents for your support of the program. Furthermore, thank you to all girls involved in Touch Football 2021 for your commitment and enthusiasm. It was a great year. I am very excited for the future of Pymble Touch Football!
Niraaya Jayasinghe, 2022 Captain of Touch Football Captain of Touch Football Lauren Geddes
TOUCH FOOTBALL AWARDS
Year 11 Red
Sienna Bond, Emilia Duncan, Isobel Gosper, Chloe Hanlan, Olivia Inkster, Niraaya Jayasinghe, Claudia Johnston, Georgina Maher, Ami Naito, Eliza Nelson, Ruby Nicholas, Aneeka Reilly, Georgia Spanswick, Brianna Worsfold
Year 10
Red
Abigail Ballhausen, Philippa Begg, Amarley Bron, Kaitlyn Chan, Asha Goddard, Alice Hillsdon, Natasha Newham, Aimee Ng, Lucy Robertson, Phoebe Vowels, Saskia Willoughby-Winlaw
Year 9
Red
Megan Abdo, Chloe Brogan, Sophia Grindlay, Amber Halliday, Olivia Linfoot, Nicole McCrostie, Mila Seidler, Georgia Short, Madeleine Short, Demitria Volos, Lucy Yates
Year 8
Red
Tully Black, Mathilde Goddard, Aimi Jenkin, Louise Lovell, Sarah Lovell, Emilia Massaro, Mika Naito, Mia Sams, Sophia Slater, Adelaide Taylor, Tiana Walsh
Year 7
Red
Amelia Brandon, Matilda Harrison, Lucy McLean, Elke Payne, Phoebe Roberts, Ruby Scarf, Abby Smith, Charlotte Tidemann, Elizabeth Yates
TOUCH FOOTBALL REPRESENTATIVES
IGSA Representatives
Sienna Bond, Asha Goddard, Mia Sams, Grace Townsend
CIS Representatives
Mia Sams, Grace Townsend
JUNIOR TOUCH FOOTBALL REPRESENTATIVE
CIS Representative Lily Mancey
It was a great year. I am very excited for the future of Pymble Touch Football!
11 FIRSTS
YEAR 10 FIRSTS
YEAR 8 FIRSTS
JUNIOR SCHOOL TOUCH FOOTBALL REPORT
In Term 3, Junior School girls had the opportunity to be involved in IPSHA Touch Football as their Saturday sport. Although it was online due to COVID-19, most girls attended the online sessions. During training, everyone worked hard to develop agility skills and found their areas of strength in the game.
Touch Football was a favourite Saturday sport, and the coaches always gave lots of energy online. No matter how hard the sessions were, the girls never gave up. The girls and coaches always tried their best to have fun and be at the top of their game every training session.
Katherine Boyce, Sanaa Kapoor, Hayley Browne and Isabel Neal, Year 6
IPSHA TOUCH FOOTBALL TEAMS
Pymble 1
Hayley Browne, Elisa Cui, Eloise Fisher, Annabelle Johnston, Lucy Lakeman, Lily Mancey, Harriet Murphy, Mie Naito, Sophie Rigg, Isabella Woodall
Pymble 2
Katherine Boyce, Emily Englund, Bonnie Hebblewhite, Amelia Lee, Jenny Ling, Victoria O’Sullivan, Annie Pennington, Leila Rich, Stella Sharp, Isabelle Younger
Pymble 3
Ella Handley-Greaves, Zara Kinniburgh, Monique Marinovic, Sophie Ngai, Irisara O’Brien, Eden Orena Barlin, Sahana Vivekanandhan, Lara Waterhouse, Catherine Zeng
Pymble 4
Eve Clark, Emily Finucane, Sophie Harris, Elizabeth Macpherson, Clara Mudaliar, Emma Scott, Stacy Sharp
Pymble 5
Amara Ahmed, Ashira Fonseka, Cabrini Lee, Mea McBurney, Tia Pillai, Kate Rogers, Caitlin Stoodley
Pymble 6
Adele Cassidy, Orla Cottrell, Amelia Hardas, Olivia Hicks-Duncombe, Jing Yuan Liu, Phoebe Scott, Chloé Shires, Iris Tang, Anika Verma
Pymble 7
Aarna Ashwin, Madison Burns, Sueann Deng, Indie LeonSearle, Izabella Prokop, Bethany Tucker, Amari Wilson
Triathlon / Volleyball
TRIATHLON REPORT
Due to COVID-19, the NSW All Schools Triathlon competition was unable to go ahead.
We are all looking forward to the 2022 competition to see the students in action.
Mrs Kate Irvine, Triathlon Co-ordinator
Captain of Triathlon Katherine Gibson
VOLLEYBALL REPORT
Volleyball 2021 kicked off with our Development program on Friday afternoons where we welcomed several new students. Our strong coaching cohort led by Mrs Adam was excited to meet the girls and prepare for the Schools Cup and Term 4 Santa Sabina competitions.
We were not able to have our full Volleyball program for 2021 however the team was engaged with online sessions in Term 3. Coach Adam created home friendly sessions which the girls could participate in with minimal equipment or space. The girls’ attendance at these sessions should be commended. The online program was valuable in getting the girls ready to get back onto the court when the students returned.
In Term 4 we were grateful to be training in year groups from Monday to Friday and it was refreshing to see the smiles and social connections for the girls and coaches. These sessions involved skill work and match play.
Thank you to the Pymble families for their support of the Volleyball program. We look forward to having an uninterrupted season in 2022!
Mr Jack Garrad, Co-ordinator – Volleyball
Captain of Volleyball, Emily Ji
VOLLEYBALL REPRESENTATIVES
CIS Representatives
Ji,
NSW Representative Emily Ji
Water Polo
WATER POLO CAPTAIN’S REPORT
In Term 1 the Pymble girls competed in a Pymble-organised competition. The games were held on Saturday mornings in the 25-metre pool which was split in half. This was a different experience for some of the girls that had previously played IGSA in the 25-metre pool. They adapted well and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, learning new skills along the way.
We did extremely well this term with some incredible results from all six teams involved across Year 7, Juniors and Seniors. We had six rounds and then the grand final played in the full 25-metre pool. We had two teams making it to the grand final, an excellent result.
Flippa Ball
Pymble was involved in the Flippa Ball tournament in Term 1. We had two Year 5 teams and one Year 6 team. The girls enjoyed learning new skills and meeting new friends. These skills will help them transition into Water Polo in the Secondary School.
Thanks
All the girls put a tremendous amount of work and effort into their training and learned new skills from their dedicated and amazing coaches. Thank you so much to all the coaches who made this season possible and for helping the girls improve at the games and training sessions. We could not have done it without you!
WATER POLO AWARDS
Year 12
Red
Lara Blair, Samantha Connellan, Siobhan Dubois, Karenza Griffiths, Greta Roberts, Jessica Sywak
Year 11
Red Layla Farook, Nicola Johnston, Georgina Makeham
Year 10
Red
Samantha Lever, Alexandra MacColl, Sarah Middleton, Ava Yates
Year 9
Red
Megan Abdo, Ellie Beck, Saskia Dubois, Melijah Dwight, Paige Gram, Jameson Heyman, Ray Jones, Mia Marinovic, Meg Stapleton
Year 8
Red Sophie Laing, Isabella Yu
Year 7
Red
Anita Clark, Amelia Hartcliff, Verity Haslam, Tessa Gregory-Reid, Montana McCormick, Arabella Murphy, Scarlet Olesen, Phoebe Roberts
Water Polo
WATER POLO RESULTS
Pymble Invitational Competition Term 1
Pymble 1
Samantha Lever, Alexandra MacColl, Sarah Middleton, Ava Yates, Nicola Johnston, Georgina Makeham, Lara Blair, Samantha Connellan, Greta Roberts, Jessica Sywak, Karenza Griffiths, Layla Farook, Siobhan Dubios
Pymble 2
3rd
5th
Lucia O'Dea, Gianna Ariston, Holly Campbell, Jessica Munk, Amelie Miller, Hannah Grogan, Thea Bailey, Isabella Jelley, Alisha Hosakakhan, Annabel McKernan
Pymble 3
Isabella Yu, Megan Abdo, Melijah Dwight, Jameson Heyman, Ray Jones, Meg Stapleton, Paige Gram, Sophie Laing, Ellie Beck, Saskia Dubois, Mia Marinovic
Pymble 4
Danielle Bloom, Chanette Hu, Eloise Makeham, Cameron Stoodley, Emma Eaton, Chloe Bookless, Manon O'Donnell, Adelaide Taylor, Zoe Rose, Amy O'Donnell, Saskia Fitzgerald, Charlotte Ford
Pymble 5
2nd
4th
2nd
Amelia Hartcliff, Arabella Murphy, Montana McCormick, Scarlet Olesen, Phoebe Roberts, Anita Clark, Tessa Gregory-Reid, Verity Haslam
Pymble 6
Penelope Danziger, Charlee Fleming, Louisa Heritage, Annabelle Jones, Angela Karelas, Alessia Macolino, Caroline Wilson, Joanna Karelas, Ananya Upmanyue, Scarlett Campbell
4th
SENIOR FIRSTS
JUNIOR FIRSTS
Water Polo
JUNIOR SCHOOL WATER POLO REPORT
In Term 1, the Saturday sport was Water Polo. Many people signed up. It was an enjoyable term in the water. During training, we learned how to catch and throw the ball with one hand and how to swim with the ball. The team was undefeated all season and enjoyed learning new skills.
We played against different schools and had a different playing field each time. We built our endurance as sometimes we couldn’t reach the floor to walk and we had to swim. Overall, Water Polo was a sport enjoyed by many and each person played their best during the season.
Isis Li, Mie Naito, Monique Marinovic and Kayra Amir, Year 6
IPSHA WATER POLO TEAMS
Flippa Ball
Pymble 1
Abani Dhaliwal, Sienna Ford, Zara Kinniburgh, Isis Li, Grace Louw, Harriet Murphy, Sophie Ngai, Maile Wilson, Arin Yoon, Isabelle Younger, Catherine Zeng
Pymble Navy
Blair Elliott, Jessi Gao, Ella Gao, Shereen Jawaad, Anne Liu, Aahana Paliwal, Malaika Rasheed, Kate Rogers, Zara Sandham, Aurora Zhang
Pymble Red
Isabel Cooke, Gemma Dixon, Isabella Eum, Harriet Gregory, Rose Jones, Imogen Jones, Tabitha Lannen, Clara Mudaliar, Abby Pisani, Eleanor Rowe, Caitlin Stoodley
Experiential Learning
Experiential Learning
It was really exciting for us to take on the new role of Experiential Learning Captains for this year. It was great to see so many girls get involved despite disruptions to the programs by COVID-19.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
At the College, we had more than 200 girls participating in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award this year. The Award is a youth development program that is a key avenue for Experiential Learning at Pymble and encourages students to learn new skills, engage in physical activity and give back to the community. The first Pymble-run adventurous journeys took place this year with great participation and feedback from the girls. This marked a significant step towards improving the support and delivery of this exciting program for coming years. As captains, we also set up a student dashboard to assist the girls in finding information and quick tips.
Outdoor Education
Over the last 12 months, students from all year levels had the chance to get outdoors and try new things. The Year 12 girls had a week of Experiential Learning with activities such as rock climbing, yoga and mountain biking. Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 had the opportunity to visit Vision Valley and explore the College’s new facilities through Outdoor Education programs where the girls took part in activities such as hiking, archery and canoeing. Year 4 explored Sydney Harbour marine life and enjoyed a range of activities at Chowder Bay and Cockatoo Island, whilst Year 6 had a coastal adventure on the Kiama coast where they walked, surfed, swam and explored. Years 8 and 10 had wonderful action-packed programs on the Colo River and at Murramarang National Park involving bushwalking, canoeing, abseiling, archery, surfing, SUP’ing, snorkelling and Indigenous education. In the Preparatory School, girls also participated in nature sessions that allowed them to experience the outside world through a different lens on campus.
Cadets
Since 2016, Pymble has run our own Cadet Unit, which has continued to teach its members essential leadership and life skills. In 2021, the PLCCU grew to include a third platoon which was a significant achievement in the development of the unit. The Annual Field Exercise conducted in April at the Singleton Military Area was also a huge success and allowed the girls to apply their learned skills to practical exercises and situations.
Other Activities
Pymble also continued several other Co-curricular activities to allow students to get involved in Experiential Learning including orienteering and mountain biking.
We thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Experiential Learning team and look forward to seeing this exciting area of the College grow in the coming years.
Bethany Fratzia and Emma Peters, Captains of Experiential Learning
Emily Ji, Captain of Experiential Learning K-6
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CAPTAINS’ REPORTEmily Ji, Emma Peters and Bethany Fratzia, Year 12
“It was great to complete my Silver journey through school as I could be with my friends and staff which created a fun and comfortable atmosphere.”
– Senu Edirisinghe, Year 10
Cadets
CADETS
PLC Cadet Unit
The ever-growing PLC Cadet Unit (PLCCU) had quite a year in 2021. In this program, students have the opportunity to gain skills in bush survival, first aid and fieldcraft, as well as furthering their abilities in leadership, teamwork, problem solving and many more.
The almost five-year-old unit at Pymble gained more interest than ever. It currently includes 73 cadets following the consistent 30 new members joining every semester. The unit is a part of the second Cadet Brigade of the Australian Army Cadets program which is a youth military program and an organisation of the Australian Army founded in 1906.
After School Parades
Every Monday, cadets met after school to participate in physical training activities to improve fitness and stamina, as well as to learn valuable life skills. Cadets who have finished their recruit training specialise in their respective areas within the unit: Medics (first aid knowledge), Fieldcraft (survival in bush areas), or Headquarters (equipment and information systems, such as radios). Being a heavily student-run program, all activities and exercises are organised, prepared and given to cadets from other cadets. This is one example of how the PLCCU allows students to develop their leadership and initiative capabilities.
The specialised cadets (located in 1 Platoon within the unit) gain knowledge in their areas before teaching the rest of the unit. The Medics extensively learn and hone their skills and knowledge in first aid as recruits, then as they progress into rank, they teach the content to new recruits and other cadets. This opportunity not only provides cadets with first aid knowledge, but also allows them to improve their
confidence and communication skills. Cadets specialising in fieldcraft learn about skills to use in the bush, such as navigation using maps and compasses, utilising the environment efficiently for camouflage, and tactical movement – a favourite activity of the unit.
Cadets
CADETS
Rank and Opportunities within the Unit
After finishing a year in the unit as a recruit, cadets gain the opportunity to excel through the unit in different leadership roles and positions and to gain more responsibility. These ranks, from lowest to highest rank, include Lance Corporal, who holds the duty of care towards cadets’ welfare and guides them side-by-side. Above them, Corporals instruct cadets through lessons and activities, as well as provide role models for recruits to look up to. Then, Sergeants enforce personal responsibilities of each cadet regarding attitude, appearance, and discipline, and work very closely with the group to maintain the unit’s high standard of dress and conduct.
Next, the highest rank within the unit is Cadet Under Officer (CUO), each of which form the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). When you have a rank in cadets, you also have an appointment and position. Each CUO is positioned to lead a different part of the unit: Recruit Platoon Commander (CUO Davis, CUO Hosakakhan), the Senior Platoon Commander (CUO Chan), Headquarters Commander (CUO Corcoran), Second in Command of the unit (CUO Yu), and Company Commander (CUO Roberts). The CUOs and the CSM form the Senior Leadership Team, which is solely responsible for planning and delivering each weekly parade and camp as smoothly and efficiently as possible. This is an extremely important and challenging role, especially when balancing the responsibilities of entering Year 12 with such a demanding position.
“Being a CUO on camp is a huge responsibility that comes with many challenges. At our bivouac camp, we encountered a lot of bad weather which caused a lot of changes in plans etc. which ultimately threw many things off course. The CUOs were responsible for finding solutions to every problem that arose, but we were able to rely on each other and work through every tough situation.”
– Rebecca Yu, Adjutant, Second in Command
Cadets
CADETS
Camps
Each year, the PLCCU holds two camps, one of which is our Annual Field Exercise (AFX) where we head to Singleton Army Base for a long camp of six or seven days. During this camp, we continue teaching valuable skills but in a much more stimulating environment. We navigate through forests and bushland and camp out in the field. In the barracks, we have the opportunity to use a variety of fun and interesting facilities, such as the WTS simulated gun range where cadets can experience using a rifle in a safe, simulated environment.
Another camp that we have is the bivouac camp, which is an exercise-based camp of four days. While similar to our AFX, this camp is less focused on the facilities that are available, such as military obstacle courses, and more focused on utilising and adapting knowledge to realistic situations.
One of our favourite camp activities is what we call ‘lantern stalk’, where cadets have to move tactically through the field as a race to reach an objective. For example, this year, the goal of our lantern stalk was to retrieve the cure for a zombie infestation. Aside from all the training activities we undergo, camps are also filled with lots of jokes and laughter. It is truly a wonderful and fulfilling experience. It may be tough at times, but cadets channel it into learning experiences that leave them with a great sense of accomplishment.
“I am thrilled with the success of our recent bivouac camp. While we certainly had our challenges, particularly with weather, we pushed through. I feel incredibly proud seeing the amount of enthusiasm, diligence and resilience that each student demonstrated throughout the camp.”
– Hunter Roberts, Senior Under Officer, Head CadetEspecially as CUOs, knowing that you planned the camps, supervised and guided cadets, and saw the joy and excitement of the cadets while participating in the activities you poured your heart and soul into, it really evokes a sense of pride at being a part of the PLCCU.
The PLCCU also had opportunities to work with other units such as SACCU from St Aloysius’ College and the BCCU from Barker College. We sometimes work with the SACCU during AFX to participate in major activities and we are extremely grateful and lucky to be able to use their facilities as well. This year, we had our promotions course with BCCU. Considering that they were a much bigger unit, we were incredibly lucky to able to share their resources to prepare our cadets for higher rank.
Cadet Impacts
Overall, Cadets is an incredible program which not only provides cadets with a wide range of army-related knowledge and skills, but with opportunities to grow as individuals in leadership, resilience and camaraderie.
Duke of Edinburgh
At Pymble, the girls have the opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, an international program designed to encourage students in every aspect of their life. From camping in the bush, to volunteering for the community and learning a new skill or sport, the Duke of Edinburgh program empowers students to step outside their comfort zone, develop new relationships and give back to those around them.
The incredible number of participants in 2021 was a testament to the resilience and motivation of the students. In a year filled with COVID-19 uncertainties, the girls had to adapt continuously, changing activities and even postponing their camps.
We had an incredible number of participants, more than 200, with 37 girls completing their Bronze, 25 completing their Silver and amazingly, 14 finishing their Gold which was an incredible achievement that speaks to the determination and persistence of the girls.
From skills like playing an instrument, cooking and driving, to sports such as tennis, swimming, hockey, netball and sailing, the girls grew not just individuals, but as a community as well.
Duke of Edinburgh
DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARDS
2019 Gold Award
Samantha Robinson (2018), Emma Small (2019)
2020 Bronze Award
Marguerite Andrews, Meera Barani, Amber Cai, Holly Campbell, Isabel Dean, Ciara Gibson, Charlotte Hartin, Jenhui Lau, Samantha Lever, Olivia Ma, Isabella MacAndrews, Isabelle Mather, Sarah Oppenheim, Emilie Palme, Holly Shephard, Georgia Spanswick, Emma Sullivan, Caitlyn Tan, Amy Watts, Olivia Williams, Rhedyn Wong, Diana Xie
Silver Award
Gianna Ariston, Lara Blair, Mia De Riz, Hannah Edwards, Amelia Fantham, Isabella Holdsworth, Emily Ji, Sophie McGee, Alessandra Natale, Emma Peters, Emma Reidy, Emilia Soghomonian
Gold Award
Alice Dixon, Sascha Duggan (2020), Nicola Farquharson, Lauren Geddes, Emma Goktas (2020), Victoria Graves, Beatrice Guo (2020), Sophia Hardas (2020), Joanna Hill (2019), Emma Linfoot (2020), Lucia Massaro (2020), Sabrina Nogueira (2020), Jessica Oppenheim (2020)
2021
Bronze Award
Megan Abdo, Radha Apana, Bianca Auld, Zara Benson, Milla Black, Jemima Burney, Rachel Chan, Lisa Chen, Romina Cooke, Scarlet Czyniewski, Alexandra de Ambrosis, Senu Edirisinghe, Claudia Fletcher-Cauchi (2019), Sophie Hoffman, Rachel Johnstone, Ella Jones, Eloise Kinchington, Angelina Lee, Carrie Luo, Mia Marinovic, Phoebe Mason, Helen Nguyen, Manon O’Donnell, Olivia Ogg, Kathie Ong, Claire Oslington, Rebecca Peters, Kristina Pilkington, Isabelle Reed, Jade Reed, Georgia Shaw, Ophelia Speed, Abigail Tyler, Yuki Wang, Freya Wheen, Stephanie Wood, Charlotte Wykes, Mulan Xu, Angela Yang, Angel Yu
Silver Award
Ella Atkins, Bianca Auld, Mia Baily, Holly Campbell, Sarah Chan, Hanna Cheung, Harriette Choi, Kristen Cook, Isabel Dean, Charlotte Hartin, Brianna Kierath, Samantha Lever, Annabel Maple-Brown, Sofia Massaro, Isabelle Mather, Sarah Oppenheim, Claire Oslington, Cayla Phillips, Samantha Radford, Harriet Shaw, Georgia Spanswick, Jessica Tse, Alice Walker, Freya Wheen, Olivia Williams, Rhedyn Wong
Gold Award
Daisy Ai (2020), Sophia Benson, Lara Blair, Amy Cha, Samantha Connellan, Hannah Edwards, Emily Farrall, Emily Ji, Emily Oppenheim, Nahanni Rinas (2020), Emilia Soghomonian, Sandy Yi, Sophia Yin, Yangyang Zhang
105 PROJECT
Volunteering as part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is integral as it encourages participants to volunteer their time and to understand the benefits of their service to the community. For this section of the Award, I volunteered at the College’s Heritage Centre where I worked on a number of projects ranging from school values postcards to museum displays. This year, as part of Pymble’s 105th birthday, in collaboration with Rebecca Peters, Year 10, and Mrs O’Carroll, I worked on the 105 Project to commemorate and capture the past to celebrate the school’s achievements and to preserve them for future generations. It was an eye-opening experience to see the different perspectives of the school. In particular, I enjoyed going into the Archive rooms and looking at journals, images and sporting equipment donated to the College by ex-students.
“It was so great to get such a deep overview of the whole school and its history, also creating a clear image of where my interests lie regarding the Heritage Centre.” – Rebecca Peters, Year 10
The posts for each year appeared in the weekly College newsletter, The College Compass, and were also compiled into a Google site as an ongoing virtual dive into the Heritage Museum and Archive.
Angelica Tan, Year 11
Duke of Edinburgh
CAMP SOMERSET
Roaming in the verdure of the trees is the renewal of the mind, the perfect environment to unwind expired thoughts and to gain new perspectives. As we trekked higher up the elevated mountains, we peered over the horizon and stood spellbound by the delicate breathing of nature.
We stared entranced and realised how every detail and motion of the vegetation fell together like a jigsaw puzzle to become something overwhelmingly beautiful. The sky wore a sapphire cloak which stretched boundlessly into the horizon, occasionally stitched by feathery white patches. Veils of sunlight beamed through the canopy of trees as each leaf cast a different shadow onto the damp surface of our skin. Peering down the mountain ridge, we were able to see with the naked eye a filterless yet picturesque painting of mother nature.
Camp Somerset is an outdoor education facility that offers programs such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and provides students with the opportunity to design expeditions and become more environmentally aware. Located 90 minutes southwest of Pymble, the beautiful bushland has a wide range of facilities including campsites, hiking trails, canoe routes and the Wollemi National Park.
Wild camping is something that we had never experienced before so we were grateful there were supportive and enthusiastic group leaders who encouraged us to ‘have a go’. At the end of the experience, I found the Australian wilderness just a little less foreign and scary. During both the preliminary and qualifying journeys, we took turns navigating and leading the rest of the group with the help of a detailed topographic map and compass. To describe it as stepping out of our comfort zone is an understatement. We applied our newly-learned skills to work together and complete the journey. On reflection, we became more independent, learned to lead and work together and gave our eyes a much-needed break from technology. We learned important skills such as navigation, recognising dangers and first aid. Above all, this journey taught us so much about perseverance, patience, resilience and the brilliance of teamwork and emotional support. this journey taught us so much about perseverance, patience, resilience and the brilliance of teamwork and emotional support.
Here is our list of ‘Dos and Don’ts’ for your next adventure – maybe even at Camp Somerset!
1. Your empty rucksack is two kilograms alone! Don’t bring additional books, games or your iPad! You’ll discover that playing I Spy with your friends is far more fun.
2. Bring extra socks. Your tent buddy will be grateful too.
3. Pack nutritious food! Spoiler alert, eating bowls of instant noodles won’t give you the energy you need. Bananas are a great option.
4. Don’t wear shorts! You will be covered in mosquito bites. Instead, add an extra layer of protection from sharp rocks and bushes.
5. Don’t wear a completely black outfit. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours – you don’t want to give them another reason to attack you. Black also absorbs more heat.
6. Make sure your rucksack is comfortable and adjust the straps before the hike. It will take a lot of weight off your shoulders – the bag will be heavy enough as it is.
Duke of Edinburgh
CAMP SOMERSET
The moon bathed in the night sky alongside the speckled stars which perched coyly amidst the obsidian heavens. With the absence of technology, we sat together simply enjoying the company of one another. The flames of our campfire danced to the tune of our hearty laughter and endless chattering of our memories from the exhausting day. Piercing our sticks through the fluffy surface of a marshmallow, we cautiously extended our arms into the honeyed lights. The flames pecked the powdery skin of the snowy pillow, giving it a slight amber tan. A petite spark illuminated the velvety sweet as we swiftly pulled the flame-hugged marshmallow out of the campfire and blew on the baby phoenix desperately. Regardless of the charred texture, the heart of the marshmallow remained smooth and palatable. As we advanced further into the night, the dynamic atmosphere gradually abated into one that was more lethargic as we slowly half dozed on each other’s shoulders. The fatigue from the activity of the morning finally caught up with us as we languidly wandered back to our tents for the final day.
Angelina Lee and Rachel Chan, Year 9THE PYMBLE PANDEMIC PROJECT
The College was severely impacted by the effects of the outbreak of COVID-19 during the 2020 lockdown. The Pymble Pandemic Project aimed to document the ways in which the College changed during lockdown.
In this archive project, many people were interviewed from different departments and schools to provide their insightful opinions on how the 2020 lockdown affected their lives. On a website, I compiled multiple video clips into each subsection of the College in an attempt to capture how the lockdown affected people’s lives. The timeline showed the sequence of events and how the College was impacted throughout as the NSW Government gave out health orders each week, demonstrating how the severity of the disease quickly reduced over time in this period.
The archive project will hopefully inform future generations of the significant impact on the College, drawing parallels to the 1918 Influenza outbreak which impacted the College a century earlier. This documentation of the 2020 pandemic will be preserved digitally through a website and is available at the Heritage Museum upon request.
Caitlyn Tan, Year 10
As the pandemic stretched into 2021 with further severe lockdowns impacting the community and College, the Heritage Archive continued to collect material on this topic as part of our purpose to capture the events of the day which become the history of tomorrow.
Mrs Enid O’Carroll, College ArchivistExperiential Learning
MOUNTAIN BIKING
2021 saw the continuation of our Learn to Ride a Mountain Bike course for students from Year 5 to Year 12.
Our trainers, Fiona and Joe from Chocolate Foot Mountain Bike Training, put our eager Pymble students through a progressive eight-week training course across Terms 1 and 2 designed to build mountain bike skills, confidence and be a lot of fun.
The aims of the sessions were for students to learn how to set up and maintain their bike and become comfortable riding it under different conditions. They were taught the correct skills for cornering, braking, descending and climbing through body positioning, braking technique, gear selection and pedalling technique. There were many smiles as students progressed to riding over obstacles and small drops as their confidence grew.
We hope students will get as much out of these sessions in 2022 with plans to progress to a more expansive and advanced mountain bike training program in the future.
Miss Georgie Cain, Experiential Educator
ORIENTEERING
Pymble’s Learn to Orienteer program continued in Terms 1 and 2 in 2021 with students from Year 5 through to Year 10 keen to polish their Orienteering skills.
Orienteering is a fast-paced, competitive sport in which runners have to find checkpoints as quickly as they can on foot across an unfamiliar landscape (such as an urban area or school, parkland or forest) with the aid of a map and compass.
The introductory course offered to Pymble students is designed to teach them the basic skills to understand maps and navigate in different environments. The course is very practical. Students were able to participate in gamebased navigation activities and orienteering courses each week on campus.
The course was delivered by Barbara Hill from Bold Horizons, who is passionate about empowering youth and adults alike to explore and grow through outdoor recreation. She said,
“It was very pleasing to see the girls building navigation and geographic skills, orienteering knowledge and fitness across each term.”
A number of girls returned from previous terms and were able to participate in a differentiated program, however Barbara said, “It was also great to see these experienced students willingly sharing their knowledge and skills with new participants.”
A few of the girls stepped up to participate in public events on Saturdays and courageously navigated their way around courses in less familiar terrain, with Cockatoo Island being a highlight of the series.
We have our own incredibly skilled Orienteering competitor, Nea Shingler, Year 11, who willingly gave up her time to help mentor students during the course.
Miss Georgie Cain, Experiential Educator
Extended Learning
Sabrina Rolinek, Amelie Muir and Isabelle Huang,Artmaking
ARTMAKING
“Art is for everyone. It is a time where you can use your inspiration to draw and paint.”
– Michelle Shi, Year 4
“I enjoy art because I like to use tone to create animals.”
– Meera Gohulan, Year 3
“What I really liked about Hokusai’s wave was using different water colours to blend to make it look artistic and realistic.”
– Endora Chen, Year 6
“Art is not just about colouring in a picture, it is about expressing your feelings. There are no mistakes in art.”
– Isabella Eum, Year 5
“I enjoyed learning about the Japanese artist Hokusai because it brought more diversity into our artworks because we got to learn about a Japanese artist.
Colouring the waves was really fun especially adding the white acrylic paint on top. The contrast between the cool tones of the ocean against the warm tones of the sky was very beautiful.”
– Lucy Sun, Year 6
“I love drawing cupcakes and using rainbow colours.”
– Echo Rao, Kindergarten
Book Club
BOOK CLUB
The Pymble Book Club is a welcoming and fun space for booklovers of all sorts to come together to discuss, debate and laugh. It is a Co-curricular program offered by the Pymble librarians each semester. All the members are brought together by their common love for books, whether that be manga, Harry Potter or romance novels.
“I love attending Book Club because we get to discuss what books we are currently reading, so we get an eclectic collection of book titles that we can read individually, and we choose a book to read together. I love that we also play games involving books like scavenger hunts and Kahoots. We get to meet like-minded individuals.”
– Nalanie Kant, Year 8.
For the past two years, booklovers have gathered on Thursday afternoons in the fiction section of the Conde Library. The unexpected breakout of COVID-19 right before the start of Term 3 did not in the slightest deter book clubbers from their weekly catch up. Meeting over Microsoft Teams brightened many people’s lockdowns. Mrs Zwar and Mr Dale-O’Connor worked hard to organise fun activities that could be implemented online – virtual scavenger hunts, Kahoots, Pictionary with the online whiteboard tool – these amazing librarians kept us well entertained throughout the lockdown period. We are all super lucky to have such a wonderful community of booklovers at Pymble. This year, Book Club was full of surprises and dodging obstacles, but all the members thoroughly enjoyed it and are eagerly looking forward to the excitement of next year’s new members, books and opinions.
– Mulan Xu, Year 9 and Lily Still, Year 7
“Book Club is a fun way to connect with others over everyone’s shared love of books!”
– Coco Ran, Year 9
Cattle Team
CATTLE TEAM CAPTAIN’S REPORT
After a year of cancelled shows due to COVID-19, the Cattle Team was able to compete in two shows this year; the Maitland Show and the Sydney Royal Easter Show. We had the introduction of three steers named Rib, Quin and Rugrat. Rib and Rugrat were purebred Angus steers and Quin an Angus cross Shorthorn.
It was a very successful year for the girls and steers. In February, Pymble competed at our first cattle show at Maitland and came back with amazing results!
Olivia Burney 1st 13 Years, 2nd Junior Judging
Adelia Arslan Highly Commended 13 Years
Safia Arslan 1st 14 Years, 3rd Junior Judging
Lucy Pennington 3rd 14 Years
Senu Edirisinghe Highly Commended 14 Years
Taylor Warnes 2nd 15 Years
Jemima Burney Highly Commended 15 Years
Mackenzie Goldthorpe Highly Commended 15 Years
Freya Carmody Highly Commended 16 Years
Victoria Graves 2nd 17 Years
Isla Cameron Highly Commended 17 Years
The steers placed as follows:
Rib 1st Purebred Class
Quin 2nd Trade
Rugrat 3rd Purebred Class
The team was extremely successful at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. The steers competed in the School Steer Hoof and Hook competition. Quin also competed in the Stock Trade Steer competition. The girls worked tirelessly to make sure the steers were comfortable and our stands were tidy.
The steers were competitive entries and scored highly both in the ring and on the hook:
Classes
Rib 2nd Middleweight Section
Rugrat 1st Lightweight Class
Hook
Quin 6th Trade Class, silver medallion for carcase and Champion Virtual Taste Test Carcase
Rib 3rd Rugrat 1st Auction
Rugrat went for 610 cents/live weight kg
Rib went for 670 cents/live weight kg
We were also able to enter three girls into the Paraders class. Jemima Burney and Safia Arslan, Year 10, competed in the RAS/ASC Beef Cattle Paraders’ Competition and Victoria Graves, Year 12, competed in the School Paraders’ Competition with Victoria receiving Highly Commended.
Unfortunately, we were not able to compete with our new steers this year as the Scone Beef Bonanza was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Cattle
Chess
CHESS
In 2021, Pymble began the year with an exciting change to the Chess program. We partnered with a new provider, Chess Prodigy, who delivers chess full of stories, colour, music, and different textured pieces. Their philosophy is to encourage girls to play chess to develop their problem-solving skills, think strategically and enhance their creativity.
Chess trains memory and willpower. It teaches children to look ahead and to look at things from other people’s points of view. Chess is based on skill, not luck, and teaches children to earn rewards, and because of this, it makes children confident and boosts self-esteem. Our program teaches children to be independent and to be able to make crucial decisions by themselves with only their judgment to guide them. Once the students move through to the competition stage, they learn to take responsibility for their actions and win and lose graciously.
The 2021 the Pymble Chess program catered for many levels of ability for students in Kindergarten through to Year 6. Semester 1 saw many students who began as novice players achieving Bronze player status before lockdown.
Congratulations to the following students:
Junior School
Zoe Chong, Year 3, Zoe Liang, Year 3, Sophia Wong, Year 4, Sophie Ngai, Year 6, and Karen Kuang, Year 6
Preparatory School
Aisha Younus, Year 2, Loriah Zhang, Year 2, Ellie Zhang, Year 2, Caitlin Shen, Year 2, and Isabella Li, Year 1 Mrs Jenny Olsen, Head of Extended Learning
Natural Skincare and Wellness
NATURAL SKINCARE AND WELLNESS
The Term 2 Natural Skincare and Wellness workshops were inspired by crystals. Students made their own plant-based nourishing lip treatment, a foaming sugar scrub and a skin serum all from scratch. Emulsions were formulated to slowly blend water based and oil based ingredients together into a single product base.
Soy wax candles and reed diffusers were a highlight for all students. Their personalised homewares ranges were a great success. Flash points of the essential oils into the soy wax were carefully measured and ingredients were blended with great care to ensure a professional quality product was made.
The final part of the design, formulate, create and marketing processes had students photograph products to present to the marketplace. The objective was met with sharp and sassy images captured to showcase everyone’s work.
“I thoroughly enjoyed this activity because I learned to make new things and grow my mind. I loved how each term we made something from a different theme. It also taught me science by mixing and making different solutions, creams and soaps as well as being creative and artistic.”
“I enjoyed the Natural Skincare and Wellness course as it allowed me to learn more about what is good for the skin and the body as well as helped me to be more confident about myself. My product highlight would be the foaming sugar scrub which left my skin so soft, and it smelled amazing.”
“The Natural Skincare and Wellness course was such a fun and interactive experience. My favourite part about the course was being able to connect with different people, as well as making all the beautiful skincare and soaps from scratch.”
“I feel so thankful to have done this course. It was so fun and interesting. The whipped soap was one of my favourite products we made! It was so fluffy, light and like a huge soapy cloud.”
– Ayla Gortan, Year 5
– Jade Steinwede, Year 9
– Anne Huang, Year 9
– Ella Gungor, Year 5Mia Chan, Year 6, Ayla Gortan, Year 5, Lily Zhang, Year 3, Hayley Ip, Year 4, Nicole Zhang, Year 6, Mia Zhu, Year 4, Abby Lim, Year 6 and Isabella Zhang, Year 6 Ava Welton, Year 4, Eden Orena Barlin, Year 6 and Nikita Orena Barlin, Year 4 Tara Liu and Naomi Liem, Year 6 Isabella Zhang and Nicole Zhang, Year 6 Ayla Gortan, Year 5 and Mia Chan, Year 6
Robotics
ROBOTICS CAPTAINS’ REPORT
In the past year, students from Years 5 to 12 participated and succeeded in many competitions. Despite uncertain circumstances, we still hosted a competition at the College for the first time, participated online in many competitions which we could not physically attend and held a dinner for our parents to showcase the work we did in 2021.
FRC
This year’s FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) came with a few changes, as the unprecedented situation made it hard to host competitions. Thus, it was decided that FRC students would rebuild the previous year’s robot (from the 2020 game ‘Infinite Recharge’) in an attempt to improve its design, and also raise the skills of students on the team.
While the competition structure was not the same as previous years, as there was no travelling and therefore no opportunity to compete for a place at the Championships in America, Pymble Pride was still able to compete in a regional NSW competition and use the robot in a competition environment. Students received the On the Day Award for their persistent efforts in the face of challenges and issues, and constant enthusiasm on and off the field.
The progress made this year by the FRC team was excellent, and each student who competed in FRC demonstrated skills and resilience that deserve commendation.
FTC
In May, members of the FRC team competed in the first FTC State of Origin representing NSW against Queensland. The day was all about fun and friendly competition, with NSW winning the day.
For the 2021-2022 season, the girls problem solved and worked online for the competition, which was postponed. This gave teams the opportunity to delve deeper into threedimensional modelling and coding online. Teams designed robot kits for other schools in addition to their own robot for next year’s competition. Girls also used the opportunity to develop homemade catapults and other designs to hone their skills further and utilise the opportunities online learning provided.
VEX EDR
Similar to all the other competitions, our VEX EDR girls were faced with uncertainty that meant they had to compete in the competition remotely. Despite facing a situation these girls had never faced before, the results yielded were absolutely amazing. In total, we had 14 teams of girls from Years 7 to 9 competing in the online regional competition.
Out of these teams, the Tech Teacups won the Design Award and the Excellence Award, the Wooden Horses won the Design Award and Team Berries and Jolly Jellyfish qualified for Nationals on their skills ranking.
In the VEX EDR Nationals, the Golden Apples won the Innovate Award, Piratz won the Think Award and were tournament finalists. The Wooden Horses won the prestigious Judges Award and were also tournament finalists and finally, the Tech Teacups won the Excellence Award and were crowned tournament champions.
The finalist teams then progressed to the World Championships where they competed against the top robots from all over the world, which is a marvellous achievement in itself. From here, the Piratz were able to achieve their best score of the season, the Wooden Horses won the Judges Award and the Tech Teacups ended up the top ranked Australian school within the skills component.
Online in 2021, teams prepared for the 2021-2022 competition. Teams worked on strategy and three-dimensional modelling, submitting digital designs to the mentors who then prepared kits from these designs for the students to make at home.
Robotics
VEX IQ
The students in VEX IQ also performed magnificently and were recognised at many competitions for their efforts. At the first VEX IQ Nationals tournament, the Pymble Puffins received the Excellence Award, and the Pymble Procrastinators received the Judges Award and also the Design Award at the second skills tournament. At the Nationals tournament, the Cereal Eaters ranked as the top Australian school team in programming, and received the Amaze Award for their achievements, with the Pymble Puffins winning the Design Award.
In lockdown, girls worked on kits at home for the 20212022 competition, postponed to 2022.
LEGO EV3
At the start of the year this young team of girls worked on their own projects. Girls created robot animals, infinity machines, mechanical dioramas and more.
Online and using kits at home, the girls prepared for the FIRST LEGO League competition happening later in the year, rising to the challenge of project managing the build of a major robot remotely.
Other Events
The FRC team prepared for the FRC Competition in March on a full field over a whole weekend at Vision Valley. The weather was miserable, however, the girls stayed positive and spent time learning about their robot and building team spirit.
Thanks
With thanks to the wonderful support from Dr Hadwen, Mr Raymond, Mr England, Mrs Bimson, Mr Stewart, Mr Boyes and the amazing facilities team, the Robotics team moved into a renovated space, with brand new facilities and equipment. We cannot wait to use these facilities in the future. Thank you.
Jenhui Lau and Pragya Mehta, Captains of Robotics
the girls stayed positive and spent time learning about their robot and building team spirit.Alyssa Cheong, Year 10, Zoey Chen, Year 11, Jenhui Lau, Year 11, Mr Asaph Mross Becker (Robotics Co-ordinator), Rachel Rao, Year 10, Dora Xia, Year 10 and Nida Mehta, Year 10
Heading Robotics
ROBOTICS RESULTS
VEX IQ
Skills Online Tournament 1
Pymble Puffins Excellence Award
Pymble Procrastinators Judges Award
TBD Top ranked Australian school
Skills Online Tournament 2 Pymble Procrastinators Design Award
Nationals
Cereal Eaters Top ranked Australian school, Amaze Award Pymble Puffins Design Award
VEX EDR
Skills Online Tournament 1
Tech Teacups Design Award
Skills Online Tournament 2
Tech Teacups Excellence Award
Wooden Horse Design Award
Berries Qualification for Nationals on Skills Ranking
Jolly Jellyfish Qualification for Nationals on Skills Ranking
Nationals
Tech Teacups Excellence Award, Tournament Champions
Wooden Horse Tournament Finalists, Judges Award
Piratz Tournament Finalists, Think Award
The Golden Apples Innovate Award
Worlds
Tech Teacups
Top ranked Australian school in skills Wooden Horse Judges Award Piratz Season best score
FRC/FTC
FTC Regional
Cardbob
Finalists Award, Design Award Hedgehubs Motivate Award
FTC Nationals
Cardbob 7th Place, Judges Award
FRC Regional
Pymble Pride 6510 On the Day Award
ROBOTICS AWARDS
Year 11
Red Zoey Chen, Jenhui Lau
Year 10
Red
Alyssa Cheong, Nida Mehta, Rachel Rao, Dora Xia, Gabrielle Zhong
Year 9
Silver
Olivia Clifford, Zara Dimovski, Isabelle Huang, Chloe Kim, Vanessa Liu, Amelie Muir, Sabrina Rolinek, Chelsea Shi
Year 8
Silver
Sophia Chang, Ang-Ya Koo, Amy Zhang
Robotics
Heading
ROBOTICS PARTICIPANTS
Year 5
Annabella Bayfield, Anabel Dimovski, Isabella Eum, Yiling Gu, Victoria Guo, Sophie Kidd, Cabrini Lee, Shreya Mahendra, Mea McBurney, Aahana Paliwal, Jessica Persson, Chloe Shao, Alina Shi, Celine Soo, Caitlin Stoodley, Chloe Tian-Cheong, Allison Wang, Kathy Wang, Leahara Wijesuriya, Emily Woods-McConville, Scarlett Wong, Jasmine Wu, Lily Xing, Valerie Zhao
Year 6
Lynn An, Amelia Carlan, Mia Chan, Angela Chen, Sophia Chen, Serena Cummings, Abani Dhaliwal, Nancy He, Rieza Khan, Nazgol Koochakzadeh, Annabel Lewthwaite, Isis Li, Annabelle Li, Scarlett Li, Audrey Lin, Celine Liu, Rena Liu, Olivia Moon, Saskia Nicholson, Tara Sproules-Nath, Alannah Tang, Varada Vinay, Sahana Vivekanandhan, Daisey Wang, Lillian Wang, Camille Xiao, Milly Xu, Emily Yu, Catherine Zeng, Emily Zhai, Nicole Zhang
Year 7
Audrey An, Grace Beck, Simone Bennett, Liuyi Cai, Melody Chen, Penelope Danziger, Kitty He, Anna Le, Katherine Lee, Iris Li, Alice Mao, Michelle Pan, Isha Satpathy, Ruhani Surana, Lisa Wang, Imogen Wu, Lucy Xie, Jessica Xu, Maria Yang, Natalie Yang, Jessica Zhai, Brianna Zhang
Year 8
Ariana Bansal, Sophia Chang, Isabella Chen, Sophia Chen, Emma Du, Esther Essey, Maya Garg, Anarghya Guru Prasad, Samantha He, Vicky Hu, Rischa Jadav, Ang-Ya Koo, Katrina Lin, Annie Wanrong Luo, Victoria Marsh, Rachel Moon, Ollisha Muthukuda, Isabella Nguyen, Aine Oo, Aria Patel, Ayana Sapra, Thinara Siriniwasa, Teresa Sun, Mia Tesoriero, Allison Wang, Lisa Wang, Isabella Xie, Isabella Xu, Olivia Xu, Chi Ieng Zhan, Amy Zhang, Marissa Zhou
Year 9
Olivia Clifford, Zara Dimovski, Emma Eaton, Alana Gao, Niesha Gawde, Alicia Ge, Arya Kalantri, Chloe Kim, Jasmine Li, Vienna Li, Vanessa Liu, Wendy Liu, Amelie Matthews, Amelie Muir, Sabrina Rolinek, Kimia Saghaie, Chelsea Shi, Tanvi Thomas, Sophie Wang, Lucy Xie, Mulan Xu, Joy Yuan, Echo Zhang
Year 10
Claudia Chan, Alyssa Cheong, Hanna Cheung, Maya Hu, Lucia Jin, Ning Ning Jin, Inaya Khandaker, Annelise Koh, Emma Lau, Lina Lin, Manni Lin, Nida Mehta, Rachel Rao, Melanie Sun, Kelly Wong, Gabrielle Zhong, Chantelle Wu, Elina Wu, Jessie Xie, Dora Xia
Year 11
Zoey Chen, Cindy Hu, Joye Fu, Jenhui Lau, Angela Yang
Year 12
Pragya Mehta, Sophia Quah, Claire Rogers
Smart Cookies / Totally Textiles
SMART COOKIES
Smart Cookies started in Term 1 this year as a Co-curricular activity especially for Year 6 girls to try baking and have a taste of life in the Secondary School.
On Monday afternoons in the TAS teaching kitchens, the Smart Cookies weighed, sifted, stirred, baked and decorated their way through, literally, a recipe collection of baked treats.
Starting with the Oreo slice, the Smart Cookies baked to perfection the following:
• Doughnut cake – a simple and delicious tea cake
• Berry Chantilly cake – technically tricky, successfully mastered
• Famous Garden Party cupcakes – with some fantastic piping skills on display!
• A biscuit barrel full of Valentine kisses, Anzacs and passionfruit yoyos and, of course, smart cookies!
• Cinnamon scrolls, apple turnovers, pear galettes and decadent Rocky Road were all rolled, glazed and dusted with icing sugar in an atmosphere of fun and friendship.
The girls happily baked together, swapped recipes and proudly took away their baking triumphs to share at home.
Even the washing and drying up was a breeze for the Smart Cookies!
TOTALLY TEXTILES
“As a keen Totally Textiles student for the past three years, I can definitely say that it is one of my favourite Co-curricular activities. Nowadays as a busy and stressed Year 11 student, I especially look forward to attending our class on Monday afternoons where I get to relax and just focus on my textiles. Ms Hansby created such a great environment that allowed me to emerge into the rewarding endeavour of textiles, challenged me to think big and apply my creative skills in whichever way I please. Earlier in the term, we were able to hold a textiles stall at the Have a Go Expo. Louise, my fellow Totally Textiles buddy, and I had an amazing time showing all the younger girls what Totally Textiles was all about. It was so great to see so many girls interested in our fashion illustrations and wowed by the textiles pieces we had created.”
– Emma Liu, Year 11
“I enjoyed coming to textiles because I got to be in a fun environment. I really enjoy sewing and continuously getting my skills up.
Plus I’m with friendly people.”
– Danielle Bloom, Year 8
“Co-curricular textiles is really fun because you have a lot of freedom in the things you can make, and it’s really nice after a stressful day to work on your project. I think that textiles is fantastic because you can gain a lot of skills and make things that you can actually use and wear.”
– Serena Xue, Year 10
Young Entrepreneurs Society
YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS SOCIETY (YES)
The Young Entrepreneurs Society (YES) is a student-run club that aims to provide students with the opportunity to launch their own ideas as a business. YES 2021 was successfully carried out during the pandemic through the guidance of the Head of Extended Learning, Mrs Olsen, and YES Presidents Alice Guan, Year 12, and Hanna Cheung, Year 10.
In YES, we develop our innovations with the assistance of a mentor and inspiration from guest speakers. Then, we create pitches and exhibit our final prototypes to teachers, parents and potential investors.
At the beginning of in-person training, the YES leadership team invited Kim Pierce and Kath Davis of The Possibility Project to share a few words of wisdom on the success of entrepreneurship.
“World. We have a problem. Fortunately, we also have seven billion+ solutions.”
– Kath Davis (The Possibility Project)
Having ‘change’ as the biggest goal in mind, students were challenged to develop prototypes that will act as reallife solutions to social and environmental issues such as climate change, unemployment, service ergonomics, ethical production and mental wellbeing.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, our 2021 Pitch Night looked quite different as we created our own websites to display our pitches. There was even public access through the YES home site. For the in-person YES event, the team decided to transform the conventional pitch presentation and speech into a gallery exposition for flexible interaction between the audience and student entrepreneurs.
Along with entrepreneurial opportunities, YES also provides leadership roles. The 2021 YES team was split into four branches consisting of marketing, human resources, operations and finance. These students were given the responsibility to demonstrate and execute their leadership, communication and management skills. Through administrating YES, they communicated with College staff, contacted guests and promoted the program to the wider College community.
Sasha Wong, Year 10
YOGA
In Yoga for Stress Management we rinse out tension in the body, develop back and core strength, learn how to focus and calm the mind through various breathing techniques and the art of meditation. It is a beautiful system that gives our girls tools to develop resilience, inner strength, happiness, better sleep patterns, adaptability, memory retention, and a much deeper ability to cope with stress.
“I’ve only just joined yoga this semester, but I love it. I learned that we cover a new topic each week. We did things like gratitude, sleep and managing boredom. I always look forward to the hour of yoga each Wednesday. There are familiar and also new things to do each session.”
– Grace Ho, Year 9
“Yoga was a fun and relaxing experience! I have never felt so strengthened, empowered and just overall healthy. It was so much fun seeing my yoga instructor every session and my friends. We learned about stress management, calming the nervous system and managing our sleep. After yoga, I always feel the best version of myself.”
– Yu Zhou, Year 9“In yoga, it is not about being good at something, it is about being good to yourself. It is a mirror to look at ourselves from within. So listen to your body with curiosity and come try (and love) yoga with me because I have been doing it for almost three years.”
– Vivian Dong, Year 9“I particularly enjoyed the exercises which aimed to provide us with a better rest at night. It very much did as I felt tired and peaceful the night after yoga.”
– Natalie Dong, Year 7