A Century of Boarding

A Century of Goodlet House 

After more than a year of planning, and what felt like a hundred years of anticipation, we gathered on 26 and 27 September to celebrate a century of boarding in Goodlet House. Pymble Alumni came together from near and far, with graduates as far back as 1957 joining more recent leavers for an evening of reminiscing and rekindled friendships. It was especially lovely to welcome three generations of Boarders, Anna Larke, Jyoti Larke and Sarah Thornton. The excitement was palpable from the moment the first guests arrived. 

For those staying the night, the celebrations began with guests settling into their rooms, with at least one of our Alumni finding herself back in the very room she had slept in as a Boarder (more luck than good management!). Before long, everyone had gathered on the Goodlet verandah, where the conversation and laughter flowed as though no time had passed at all. 

We then moved upstairs to the balcony for a delicious three course dinner. A slideshow of images from years gone by brought back many memories, opening with a short history of Goodlet House told in verse. No birthday would be complete without a cake, and our longest-standing Alumni, Rosemary and Elizabeth, did the honours of cutting the huge cake decorated, of course, with 100s and 1000s! 

Special congratulations go to the 1987 leavers, who took out the prize for the largest group with eight attendees and enjoyed reminiscing to their very own bespoke playlist. Each guest took home a Goodlet key ring and a personalised letter from our current Boarders, and many also received a Goodlet centenary rose. 

For the brave ones who stayed over, the morning began with breakfast in the Goodlet kitchen, followed by a tour of the grounds before friends said their goodbyes and set off for home. 

It was truly special to hear so many stories and to watch friendships pick up exactly where they had left off. A hundred years on, Goodlet remains what it has always been: a home where friendships begin and last a lifetime. 

Mrs Carolyn Burgess, Director of Boarding 

A Celebration of Goodlet House 

Goodlet House, our much loved home
A hundred years on we’d never roam
Born with Presbyterian Ladies’ College in full flight,
With Boarders arriving day and night.
Marden and Lang cried, “We’ve no more room!”
So Goodlet appeared — and banished the gloom. 

In March came Lord Stonehaven, splendid and grand,
To lay the Foundation Stone by hand;
By July of 1926, with admirable haste,
A new boarding house stood solidly placed.
First dubbed New House, a title lacking flair,
Until Goodlet gave it a name worth wearing with care. 

Named for Colonel John Hay Goodlet’s fame,
A benefactor of generous name,
It welcomed sixty-two girls through the door,
Though the verandahs became bedrooms for more.
Rain, hail, or shine, those Boarders slept game —
Strong in spirit, if not always in frame. 

Miss Nancy Jobson, stately and wise,
With kindly blue and discerning eyes,
Led “her girls” with purpose, grit and grace,
And standards enough to keep everyone in place:
A tennis racket, combs, a waterproof too,
A serviette ring, clearly labelled, mind you. 

There were horses to school and cattle nearby,
And one bold kangaroo who fancied a try
At a maiden swim in the pool that year,
Which, even for PLC, was slightly odd cheer.
The girls made tea, boiled eggs, and calm self-command:
Boarding has always made capable hands. 

And now, a hundred years have passed,
Yet Goodlet’s spirit holds fast.
It is still a home where friendships start,
Where girls are strengthened in mind and heart;
Where laughter echoes down the hall,
And kindness matters most of all.

So here’s to Goodlet, proud and true,
To all who were, and all who grew;
And to the fifty-five who call it home today,
May its fine tradition light their way.