From the Principal
On February 8 this year the College we all know and love officially turned 110 years old. Happy birthday, dear Pymble!
It was very special to share this year’s Foundation Day service with a record number of former students who returned to mark the occasion and help us launch our commemorative book, Celebrating 110 Years: Pymble Ladies’ College.
Our guest speaker was Carmen Bolton (2002), one of 44 women who generously shared their reflections of Pymble and their lives beyond in our book, which we will continue to build with more alumni stories each year*. Carmen spoke so beautifully and relatably about our 2026 College theme, Courage, and how making one courageous decision to explore her deep fear of sharks as a young girl led to an exhilarating and rewarding career in reef conservation.
After the assembly, many of our alumni spent time meeting and talking with students in different year groups, which was the best birthday gift of all, according to our girls.
“I was fascinated to hear so many interesting stories about life, school and careers from our amazing Pymble alumni. One of my favourite people was Professor Diana Wood Conroy who spoke about her travels around the world as an archaeologist in Egypt, which was particularly interesting as we were learning about Ancient Egypt at the time. I learnt that she was working at a museum as one of the few female employees and discovered a love for archaeological digs which sent her on travels around the world. I really appreciated learning firsthand from a female trailblazer paving her way in a then male-dominated industry. I am so grateful for the opportunity to hear her story.” – Sofia, Year 8
“When I met Carmen Bolton on Foundation Day, I felt inspired. Hearing about how she is working to save sea animals and helping to protect the Great Barrier Reed just made me feel energised to continue to pursue my dreams of being a marine biologist. I thought about how I could be just like her when I am older.” – Tabitha, Year 5
Your presence means the world to us
Thank you to all our wonderful alumni who continue to find time to return to Pymble to connect with our students as mentors, speakers, friends and role models. In Term 1 alone, we have had the joy of spending time with:
Chloe Dalton OAM (2011), Josie Wilson (2017) and Sarah Hunter (2021) at the launch of our Pymble Ladies’ College + Tottenham Hotspurs football partnership.
Anne Holcombe (1971) who returned to Boarding to reflect on her own experiences as a Boarder, as well as tales of her mum, Margaret Holcombe (Paton, 1946), taking shelter in the tunnels under the Colonnade when Japanese submarines entered Sydney Harbour in 1942.
Chelsea Cambridge (2017) who spoke to 2,000 of our students at Combined Assembly about building a career in fashion and working in Paris.
Kristie Edwards (2017) who shared her experience of being a student at Pymble and her career pathway to the Olympics with our Senior School students.
34 members of alumni who represented their professions or fields of study at our annual Careers Expo in March – too many to name, but you know who you are. ❤️🤍💙
Our deep appreciation also goes to Vanessa Hudson (Gower, 1987) for agreeing to be one of our panelists talking about how technology is changing their industries at the launch of our Pymble STEM Academy.
These connections are so important for our community. Pymble alumni are the links in the unending chain that connect our past to our present and our future. One hundred and ten years of Pymble students, families and staff have helped to build our sense of belonging to something much bigger than self: a growing, evolving community, bound by shared experiences and values as we move forward in life.
Today, in our 111th year, we are grateful for every parent or carer who trusted the College to deliver an education that would set their daughter up for life. We give thanks for every teacher who believed in our students before they believed in themselves. And we celebrate every Pymble girl, past and present, for striving for her highest and taking steps to make the world a better place in her own unique way. All’ Ultimo Lavoro, always.
Dr Kate Hadwen