News

Acclaimed chef Justin North will work with Pymble Hospitality and Food Technology students in a series of workshops and demonstration classes in the week of 13 May 2013.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to be exposed to the skills and knowledge of an exceptional chef,” said Mrs Vicki Waters, College Principal. “Working with Justin, a professional chef at the top of his field will expose our students to new experiences and skills and inspire our students to extend their talents and learning in Hospitality and Food Technology.”

“The College is equipped with professional standard kitchens, so it’s appropriate that we have professional chefs who have established a reputation in their field to demonstrate to the students.”

Justin North will work with Year 10 Food Technology students demonstrating new skill and techniques as he prepares a three course menu. The students have the opportunity to taste the dishes prepared at the end of their lesson. Year 11 Hospitality and Food Technology students will participate in practical food preparation workshops with Justin, working with him as they prepare their menu.

Students from the Secondary School will have the opportunity to meet Justin North at a special presentation, ‘Meet the Chef’, held at the College on Wednesday 15 May during their lunch hour. In the evening, Justin is presenting the finer points of cooking at a special evening demonstration and tasting as part of the College’s Visiting Chef Program.

Justin North has established an international reputation as an award winning chef. He was named GQ Chef of the Year in 2010 and ‘Becasse’ his previous restaurant maintained two coveted Chef’s Hats from 2003 to 2011, and was named Best European Restaurant in Australia in 2009. Justin was also named Chef of the Year in 2009 by The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide. He is the author of two award winning books, Becasse: Inspirations and Flavours and French Lessons. His television credits include guest spots on Masterchef Australia and Junior Masterchef as well as appearances and cooking segments on Channel 9’s The Morning Show, the Lifestyle Channel’s Christmas Special, Mercurio’s Menu and The Circle.

Pymble was represented by five students at Monday evening’s screening of Q & A on ABC Television.

The program, ‘High School Showdown’ featured Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia as the sole guest accompanying host Tony Jones with representatives from secondary schools throughout Australia in the audience. Year 12 students Alexandra Baker, Mia Stone, Eleanor Katelaris and Keziah Morgan and Year 11 student Sally Judson were invited to participate in this exclusive event after they submitted a video to promote why they would like to appear on the program.

Secondary School students and staff gathered in front of the War Memorial Chapel on Monday morning to honour the memory of fallen Australian Defence Force personnel at a special Anzac Day Service.

The guest speaker at the service was Pymble 2000 ex-student, Kate Baecher, who delivered a memorable and moving address that drew on her personal experiences as a psychologist with the Australian Defence Force in Afghanistan and Iraq. As part of the service, Sophia Kwiet (Year 12) played The Last Post and representatives from each year group in the Secondary School laid flowers and a wreath on the Flagpole Lawn.

Year 7 student and rising tennis star, Gabriella Da Silva-Fick, achieved some outstanding results at the National Clay Court Championships in Ipswich last week. Gabriella played some fantastic tennis to win both the singles and doubles events in the 12 years and under divisions, beating both the number 1 and 3 seeds on her way to victory. Gabriella is part of the Pymble Elite Sportswomen’s Program (PESP), a College initiative to assist talented athletes balance their studies and performing at a high level in their chosen sporting field.

A beautiful, handmade and specially commissioned harpsichord now stands in the Music Gallery at Pymble Ladies’ College for students and staff to enjoy and appreciate.

The Ruckers Double Harpsichord was delivered to the College on Wednesday 27 March which prompted some Pymble piano students and scholars to play some beautiful renditions on the newly acquired instrument.

“The harpsichord is a magnificent instrument that produces unique and beautiful music and looks stunning in the Music Gallery,” said College Principal, Mrs Vicki Waters. “The blue hand painted exterior is complemented by Flemish printed papers on the keywell soundboard rim and interior lid and the soundboard is decorated in Australian flora and fauna motifs hand painted by Pymble 1959 ex-student, Diana Ford.”

The harpsichord, ordered in February 2011, took a year to make. It was custom designed and built by Carey Beebe Harpsichords. Carey used his expertise of making harpsichords for the past thirty years to create an exquisite instrument made from a combination of French Oak, Swiss Pine and African Ebony.

The Latin mottos on the interior lids of the harpsichord are translated to ‘Music –the companion of sorrow, the healer of suffering’ and ‘Rejoice for we are young’ are fitting for a harpsichord at the College, an instrument that will be enjoyed by the College community and one that will delight audiences in years to come.

The harpsichord dates back six centuries and was widely used in Renaissance and Baroque music. During the late 18th century it gradually disappeared from the musical scene but has risen in popularity over the past century appreciated for its historical significance and beautiful sound.