News

Each year, the Board of Studies presents OnSTAGE, a selection of outstanding performances and projects from HSC Drama students. Performance students who presented exemplary work have been nominated by the HSC markers for consideration for OnSTAGE, which will be held at the Seymour Theatre Centre in February.

Pymble is delighted that three Pymble students have been nominated for their Group Performance. Emily Bird, Nicola Bowman and Zoë Miller Stubbs have been nominated for their moving and highly dramatic piece, Jailbird Lullaby. The self-devised piece explores the story of three women from Sydney’s history: Tilly Devine, Dot Mort and Emily Hemsworth, as they present their stories in the 1920s ‘Long Bay Prison Show’.

We are very proud of these students and are pleased with this recognition of their hard work and talent.

The 2012 Young Australian of the Year, Marita Cheng, inspired Pymble Ladies’ College Secondary School students when she spoke about her passion for engineering and the need for more prevalence of females in the industry on 18 September.

Marita received the 2012 Young Australian of the Year Award for her dedication to encouraging young women to become interested in a career in engineering. She spoke with the Pymble students about her excitement of receiving the award and the many ventures she has undertaken in her career to foster a greater participation of women in engineering.

Marita also shared her study tips with the students and urged them to follow their aspirations. “Marita is an inspirational young leader and has achieved some amazing accomplishments and acknowledgements as a young adult,” said College Principal, Mrs Vicki Waters. “She is a wonderful role model to our students and proof that young women can achieve greatness if they follow their dreams.”

Marita founded Robogals in 2008, as a response to the traditionally low levels of participation by women in engineering and technology. Since its inception Robogals has conducted robotics workshops for 3,000 girls across 80 schools in Australia and now has 17 chapters across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Marita has been named as one of the top 30 under 30 entrepreneurs in Australia in 2009 and 2010 and is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards including the Herald Sun Pride of Australia Young Leader medal, the Anita Borg Change Agent award and she was also acknowledged as one of top achievers under the age of 30 from across the world by the Sandbox Network 2010.

Congratulations to Secondary School students Eleanor Armati, Alicia Chang, Katherine Dekker, Samantha Macourt and Bronte Williams who are travelling as members of the Australian Girls Choir on a tour of Europe in September and October. Travelling over 21 days the girls will visit Rome, Marostica, Somerset, Assisi and then Hong Kong. They will play at international music festivals as well have a Papal Audience performance for Pope Benedict XVI. How wonderful to have five Pymble girls representing our country on such a prestigious tour.

It is a great pleasure to announce that Mrs Karen Ahearn has been appointed to the position of Head of Preparatory School at Pymble commencing from Term 1 2013.

Mrs Ahearn is an extremely experienced educational leader who is highly regarded by colleagues, parents and students in the educational community. Mrs Ahearn has contributed significantly to the education profession and is passionate about the education of girls and numeracy. She has presented at international and national education conferences and has been the guest lecturer at Macquarie University’s Institute of Early Childhood and the Primary Teacher Education Program.

We welcome Mrs Ahearn as Head of the Preparatory School to the Pymble community.

Pymble Ladies’ College Year 6 student Kate Soonius was named national Runner Up in the Upper Primary Division of the 2012 Dorothy Mackellar Poetry Awards. Kate received her award from The Hon. Paul Fletcher MP, Federal Member for Bradfield, at a special Junior School Assembly at the College on 7 September.

Mr Fletcher also presented awards to three other Pymble students who were recognised for their efforts in the competition: Year 4 student Mia Cameron received a Highly Commended Certificate, and Year 6 student Eliza Moore and Year 3 student Alison Cook received Commended Certificates.