From the Principal
Welcome to the second edition of Jacaranda Post for 2026.
Mr Raymond here (Deputy Principal Students), standing in for Dr Hadwen, who is taking some leave to care for her family. She sends you her love and best wishes. It’s my great pleasure to share some news since we were last in touch with you at the end of Term 1.
Firstly, this year’s Alumni Networking Event in May was a great success. Thanks to feedback from alumni who have attended many of these over the years, the evening was re-engineered as a smaller, more intimate gathering to hear some words of wisdom and maximise actual networking time. A huge thank you to our incredible MC Felicity McVay (1995) and panelists Danielle Kelly (1987), Danielle Scott (2007) and Jasmine Logaraj (2010) for so generously sharing their stories and advice. Suffice to say, these four outstanding women not only read the room but they owned it too.
May also saw the opening of our new building, formerly known as Grey House Precinct, now officially designated the Hunter and Vicars Centre. The new name honours our former Chair of the Board, Mr James Hunter, and the Vicars family, who have been part of our history since the College opened in 1916. Again, it was great to have several Pymble Alumni join us for this historic occasion and to see firsthand how the new facilities have become game-changers in the best possible way for our students, families and staff. On that note, shout-out to our Board member, Li-Enn Koo (1990) for stepping up as MC for the evening at the last minute – she did a stellar job, made more impressive as it was with just a few hours’ notice.
The main entrance of the Hunter and Vicars Centre is between Goodlet Boarding House on the right and the back of the Junior School on the left.
Our new Early Years School, which opens on July 13 for girls and boys from 6 months to 5 years, is headed up by our former Head of Preparatory School, Mrs Karen Ahearn.
An indoor slide, climbing wall and stunning movie theatre are just some of the highlights of our new Out of School Hours Care Centre, run by Ms Fi Stevenson.
Our Head of Dance, Miss Cluff is over the moon about our new Dance Centre, with six studios, performance space and seating for 100, whiz-bang multimedia technology and outdoor warm-up area.
New classrooms for Years 5 and 6 and a STEM Lab are a dream come true for the Junior School.
On the top level, with views of treetops and our beautiful campus, sits our Health and Wellbeing Centre, making visits to our nurses and psychological services team much more relaxed and discreet.
The third piece of news you may be interest to hear is the launch of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to coincide with National Reconciliation Week.
Our RAP chronicles the College’s 20-year, ongoing journey towards reconciliation, including the establishment of our First Nations Scholarship Program back in 2007 by former Principal, Mrs Gillian Moore AO, and former Chair of College Council, Mrs Kate Mason. Our plan is to update this each year with additional stories and reflections from our First Nations Scholars, students who learn alongside them, and staff who take responsibility for implementing the 27 actions we commit to as a respectful and inclusive school community.
Just before I sign off, a friendly reminder that tickets for our 110th birthday concert at the Opera House go on sale at 9.00am on Thursday 25 June. Featuring 700 students from Kindergarten to Year 12, Odyssey: The Journey Illuminated celebrates 110 years of courage, creativity and community. You’re all part of the story and we hope to see you there.
