From the Senior School

From the Head of Senior School

How wonderful to be back on campus and welcome our new Year 12s into their final year of school! They have returned full of stories from their break and lots of good humour and great ideas. I have asked a few of the students to let me know how they feel about starting Year 12 and here are their thoughts:

“I’m so excited to have come back and seen the energy that was going around about finally being in Year 12!” – Bonita

“I’m looking forward to start my extension subjects and seeing all my friends again!” – Rose

“It’s really fun to see everyone as Year 12s now in the Kate Mason Building and start all of our classes!” – Olivia

“I’m excited to make lasting memories in my final year!” – Ankana  

Over the next term, we will be talking to the students about ‘starting as you mean to end’. That is, beginning with good solid routines of study and trying to keep a balance in life – between socialising, academic goals, sporting and cultural commitment and of course, family time. As we all know, this is challenging for the best of us, so modelling coping and planning strategies can be very helpful.

Prefect Retreat

Last term, our newly appointed prefect body took a two-day retreat at our outdoor education facility Vision Valley. Over the course of the two days, we worked in our various portfolio groups to create our 2023 vision, learn what it means to be a leader and how to navigate working in a team. At the end of the retreat, each portfolio presented to the larger prefect body their plan for the upcoming year. Throughout the nine portfolios, Performing Arts, House, Sport, SRC, Community, Learning, Wellbeing, Boarding, and Coordinators/Communicators, we noticed a common theme of creating a more inviting culture within the school body. So, on behalf of the 2023 prefects, welcome and get excited for a year of positive change!

Tilly M, Student Communications Prefect

Year 12 2022 – HSC begins!

This week also marks the start of the HSC examinations, with English – Paper 1 on Wednesday. I am so very proud of these students, as they have prepared so well and been wonderful leaders for the College. They sit these exams in the firm knowledge that they have the good wishes of the entire College community behind them. We all look forward to hearing their plans for next year and beyond!

After their first paper, the Year 12 students received their final references, a little gift of a Kit Kat from their Year 11 sisters and a beautiful home-cooked cupcake from Dr H! I hope that they felt the love and support from all of us.

From the Heads of Year 11

Welcome back to Term 4 and the start of Year 12! We hope our Pymble community had a restful break and managed to spend some quality time with friends and family. 

While Term 4 is short, it is certainly intense. 2023’s Year 12 cohort have probably noticed that they’ve already hit the ground running.  

As this term gets underway, we want to highlight the wonderful Drama Tour that several of our students attended. This group was lucky enough to visit London, Stratford-upon-Avon and Paris. Students saw a variety of theatre and participated in workshops to hone their craft. 

Lucy Bell reflected that the tour was “a magical experience and something that I’ll remember forever. The theatre we saw was a world class standard and we’re so lucky.” 

Maira Waqar noted that “the Drama Tour was an enriching experience for my fellow students and I as it gave us the opportunity to experience and explore the large range of drama workshops and performances. This was a fortunate opportunity which allowed us to travel to different cities, meet new people, and visit different landmarks.” 

We’re thrilled to have everyone back on campus and wish you all the best for the term ahead!