From the Boarding School

From our Head of Boarding

The new term has certainly kept us busy and as always, our Boarders are stepping up to the challenges and taking advantage of the many opportunities on offer here at the College. It is this tenacity, spirit and drive of our Boarders that shines through in their interactions and makes them such wonderful leaders in the College.

This week we invited applications for our formal leadership positions for the 2022/23 year including roles as Spirit House Captains, Boarders’ Representative Council members and Big Sisters. If you would like to read more about these roles please click the following links:

I look forward to sharing the results of the applications next week.

COVID 19 Update

As you will be aware, the requirement for self-isolation for anyone who tests positive for COVID has been removed. Our Boarding staff will continue to implement the recommendations of NSW Health and be vigilant in minimising the risk to our Boarding family of transmission of any contagious disease.

We continue to speak regularly with our Boarders about the importance of strict personal and environmental hygiene practices and monitor Boarders for symptoms including cough, cold or flu-like symptoms. Boarders who demonstrate these symptoms will be tested for COVID-19. We will treat all positive cases of COVID on an individual basis and in consultation with families.

Did you hear about it?

This term our prefect team have introduced a new feature to our Boarding Chapel service – a section in which the many achievements of our Boarders are celebrated. This week our ‘did you hear about it?’ girl, also known as Boarding Prefect Co-ordinator, Lucy Robertson, shared the following news:

Matilda Barwick (Year 11) competed in the 61st Annual Jamboree for horse riding and won first place! Tilly was part of a team of 18 equestrian riders from her hometown in Gravesend, who competed against six other towns to take first place after competing in a number events. We are so proud of Tilly and her achievement – also very fitting for our new Equestrian Captain for 2023!

Alice Hillsdon (Year 11) along with her partner Georgie presented a business case at the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand venue on Wednesday night and came second winning a generous cash prize for their efforts!

Love It

Love It is back for Term 4! We started last weekend with a trip to Balmoral for our Year 9s where they enjoyed their picnic dinner and a dip in the slightly chilly waters. All girls enjoyed the opportunity to chill out after their first week back. The Year 10s all looked stunning as they headed off for the Year 10 Dance with Shore. They loved meeting new people and dancing the night away. Saturday night was an opportunity to join with the local community and some Knox Boarders for the Wahroonga twilight concert – the evening was enjoyed by all. This weekend will be an opportunity for the Year 10s to head down to Balmoral on Friday evening, Saturday will be an opportunity to head to the Kirribilli Markets and on Sunday we will be heading to Pittwater for a light walk and swim. Summer is almost here and we can’t wait!

Click here to see view the entire Term 4 Love It program schedule.

A view from my window

My name is Andie Hodder and I am 16 years old. I started boarding here at Pymble this year and have loved almost every moment of it. I come from the small town of Forbes in the Central West region of NSW. Forbes is known for its many leafy parks which surround the beautiful lake that flows right through the middle of the town. At night the town centre and the lake perimeter light up with 1000’s of pretty lights. When I’m not in my new Goodlet home, I live on a property just on the outside of the town called ‘Riverblock’, which gets its name from sitting on the banks of the Lachlan River.

My family consists of Mum (Juliet), Dad (Dave), my two sisters (Jemma and Claudia) and my brother (Snow)… as well as two horses, three dogs, one cat, 12 racing pigeons, over 20,000 bees and too many sheep.

When I look outside my window, I see two unacceptably fat horses resting under a River Gum tree in their yard. They are full of green feed, waiting with their innocent faces to see what they can produce on the first ride back after a long winter spell.

From my window I see dad, working on the new outdoor area, building a nice big fireplace for the family to gather around, eat and drink and share hilarious memories that have been made on the farm.

I can see dad’s timely sown crops that strive to send their heads higher as spring commences. It is always a lottery to see if they will make it to harvest, particularly when our farm has been exposed to flood over previous seasons.

I see my mum, working tirelessly to keep her beautiful garden weeded. She is also often outside attempting to keep the pool clean from all the dirt and leaves that blow through the garden day in and day out.

I see my younger brother kicking his football, practising for his next season of Rugby. He’s waiting patiently and hopefully for the day my sisters and I come out to play a game with him.

I see dad, talking to his favourite kids (his pigeons). Naming every single one of them and asking them thousands of different questions. Mum calls him the Pigeon Master. I see him, open the door to the coup to let them fly around the house. He watches them fly for the next half an hour until he calls them back in.

But one of my favourite views would have to be my Nanna Nina who always surprises me by just rocking up. She has a gift for catching you doing something you thought no one would see. Usually she arrives around meal times and despite ‘never being hungry’ manages to eat a full sized plate and then often takes the leftovers when she leaves. There’s no doubt that she’s crafty, but I always love seeing her face and spending time with her.

My favourite thing about being home, is getting to relax with my friends and family. I love the close nature of Forbes and being able to walk down the street and greet everyone I pass. I love driving our buggy through the forests and the paddocks. I love the peaceful nature of my hometown, it’s stillness and security.

The drive from Forbes to Pymble takes around 5 hours and although it’s hard to leave the wide-open spaces and peace and quiet, I will always love returning to Pymble. At school and boarding I get to experience some of the loudest, busiest, and most chaotic of times and I wouldn’t have my life any other way.

Boarder of the Week

This week, I am delighted to recognise Lila Bourke a much-loved member of our 2022 Year 12 cohort. Lila joined us from Dubbo as a bright and bubbly Year 7 and has continued to delight us with her enthusiasm, inclusivity and unwavering loyalty. Lila is a friend to everyone and has a genuine interest in young people and what their potential could be. She loves nothing more than to mentor our younger Boarders, offering practical advice and support, never hesitating to extend help whenever she thinks it is needed – expecting nothing in return.

Lila’s determination to do the best she can and get the best out of her Boarding experience is commendable. She seeks new experiences and enjoys the diversity that living in a communal environment brings. Her courage and hard work have been rewarded with no less than five early entry offers from five different universities to study medical science. We are beyond proud of all that she has achieved.