From the Archives
Our 110th anniversary year of Pymble Ladies’ College has moved past the half-way mark and boy, did we have a real show-stopper of a celebration to mark this milestone in our school’s story! Below, I’ll share details of our performance at the Opera House along with other stories that connect to our Archives and our 110-year story.
Yours in history…
Kate Murray
College Archivist
HISTORY OF PERFORMING ARTS AT PYMBLE…
On Tuesday 18 August 2026, Pymble students took to the stage at the Sydney Opera House. The performance was called Odyssey: The Journey Illuminated and was a celebration of 110 years of our school. In particular, the show marked courage, creativity and community, and the shaping of young women’s lives. Students from Kindergarten to Year 12, performed music, movement and artistry on stage, spanning the school’s youngest students through to its senior artists.
The program for the event acknowledged Country, noting that the land on which Pymble now stands was, for countless generations, a site of gathering, story and song for the Durramurragal people, and that today Pymble students learn, find their voice and map their own journey on that same land. More broadly, Odyssey was a sweeping celebration bringing together music, movement, drama and language performed by over 700 young artists.
This show was a masterpiece of ‘today’, but it draws from a long history of music and movement at the College … did you dance and sing whilst you were a Pymble girl? Let’s explore the story…
A Heritage History of Performing Arts at Pymble Ladies’ College
For more than a century, Performing Arts at Pymble Ladies’ College has been woven into the fabric of school life – a living tradition shaped by generations of students, teachers, and visionaries. What began as simple gatherings and creative expressions on verandahs around the school, has grown into a world‑class program celebrated on international stages. This is the story of how creativity became one of Pymble’s defining legacies.
Foundations of Expression (1916 – 1930s)
When Pymble Ladies’ College opened its gates in 1916, founding Principal Dr John Marden championed a progressive belief: that young women should be educated not only in academics, but in confidence, eloquence, and artistic expression. In those earliest years, students performed wherever space allowed – on verandahs, in small halls, and during Sunday gatherings. Concerts were modest, often student‑led, reflecting the simplicity of the era.
The first ‘major’ production was The Mikado. This is brought to life in the following black and white image and in the written excerpt from the College magazine at the time.
By 1929, Performing Arts had taken on a more formal role through the Angus Cup, a spirited inter‑house competition in singing, drama and writing. These events became a cornerstone of school identity, nurturing camaraderie and creativity.
Among the young performers of this era was Joan Hammond, a Goodlet House prefect whose passion for music and sport foreshadowed her extraordinary future. She wandered freely between Pymble’s music rooms, the swimming pool, and the nearby Avondale golf course – later becoming one of Australia’s most celebrated opera singers and the namesake of Hammond House on the Pymble campus.
Growing Traditions (1940s – 1970s)
The mid‑20th century saw Performing Arts deepen its roots at Pymble. In 1942, the College launched its first Song Festival, replacing the Dempster Cup and establishing choral excellence as a defining tradition. Instrumental music expanded from small chamber groups into structured ensembles, laying the groundwork for future orchestras and bands.
Drama continued to flourish through inter‑house eisteddfods, where students wrote, directed, and performed their own plays. Dance, still known as “Physical Culture,” was taught as calisthenics – a far cry from the specialised academy it would later become.
The installation of the Lewis Pipe Organ in the school’s War Memorial Chapel in 1971 marked a significant milestone, enriching the College’s musical landscape and elevating chapel performances.
A New Era of Infrastructure (1980s – 2000s)
The late 20th century ushered in a period of remarkable transformation. Under then-Principal Mrs Gillian Moore AO, the College embarked on the ambitious Pymble 2000 Master Plan, recognising that world‑class arts required world‑class facilities.
In 1992, the David Blackwell Music School opened, providing acoustically engineered rehearsal rooms and private tuition studios. This was followed in 2005 by the spectacular Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts (GMCPA) – a professional-grade theatre with a 750‑seat auditorium, fly tower, hydraulic orchestra pit, black box studio, dance suites, and advanced technical infrastructure. Its opening marked a turning point, enabling Pymble students to train in lighting, audio engineering, stagecraft, and costume design at a professional standard.
Dance evolved rapidly during this era. What had once been calisthenics became a disciplined academy with audition-only troupes in jazz, contemporary, lyrical, ballet, and tap.
Global Reach and Modern Excellence (2010s – 2020s)
By the 2010s, Performing Arts at Pymble had become a sophisticated ecosystem of ensembles, productions, competitions, and international opportunities. Under the long-serving leadership of Mrs Sabina Turner, the program expanded to include more than 25 musical ensembles, competitive dance streams, mainstage drama productions, and technical theatre pathways.
International touring became a hallmark of the program. Pymble students performed in European cathedrals, trained in American dance hubs, and represented the College in global public speaking forums such as Model United Nations in The Hague.
2026 saw the opening of our new building – the Hunter and Vicars Centre. This masterpiece building has purpose-built studios with sprung floors and mirrored walls, cementing dance as a major pillar of the College’s identity.
Pymble at the Opera House
The College’s artistic achievements have reached their most spectacular heights on the nation’s most iconic stage a few times – i.e. at the Sydney Opera House:
- In 1991, Pymble celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a gala concert.
- In 2016, the Aurora Centenary Gala brought 600 performers together in a breathtaking celebration of 100 years.
- In 2026, more than 700 students filled the Opera House Concert Hall for Odyssey: The Journey Illuminated, a monumental production showcasing music, movement, and language arts beneath the soaring vaulted sails.
A Living Legacy
Today, Performing Arts at Pymble stands on powerful pillars — Music, Dance, and Drama & Language Arts — supported by elite facilities, expert staff, and a culture that nurtures creativity from Kindergarten to Year 12. The College offers prestigious scholarships, global touring opportunities, and a rich network of ensembles and productions.
From verandah dances in 1924 to international tours and Opera House galas, the story of Performing Arts at Pymble is one of evolution, ambition, and enduring spirit. It is a heritage shaped by generations of young women who found their voice, their confidence, and their artistry within the College’s halls – and carried it proudly into the world.
This journey is recorded and documented in stunning images in the Archives collection of the College and forms just one part of our many-layered story.
110 Days of Year 7…
Continuing in the vein of celebrating our 110-year anniversary, another event this term was our new Secondary School students celebrating 110 days of Year 7.
For this special day, the Year 7 girls gathered and went back to life in 1916. They picnicked on rugs and ate treats commonly enjoyed 110 years ago, while their teachers donned long, grand skirts reflective of the era. There were games of the period such as skipping and they had the chance to see some of the artefacts from the Archives of the College.
The students marvelled at the images of horse drawn carts and the early days of the school, when there were only a few buildings onsite, which were surrounded by paddocks. The students were fascinated with the replica black-watch tam-o-shanter hats and they jumped at the chance to try them on. There were a few students who loved the leather satchel of yesteryear and even wished that was their school bag now!
Some reflections about the day by some students:
“On Monday, we celebrated 110 days of Year 7, while also celebrating 110 years of Pymble! Because of the wet weather, we headed to the gym instead of the Main Oval. We shared food, stories and took part in lots of fun activities inspired by what life was like back in 1916. We even had some funky old-fashioned music playing, which really helped bring the theme to life! My favourite activity were the sports. We did things like skipping, elastics and hopscotch which were very popular in 1916. There were plenty of giggles, and everyone was having so much fun trying to keep up! Towards the end of the celebration, all our Compass groups were given a paper bag filled with Violet Crumbles, which were first created in 1913, as well as some delicious toffee made by some of our leaders. Needless to say, the treats disappeared pretty quickly! Overall, celebrating 110 years of Pymble while also reaching 110 days of Year 7 was such a fun experience. It was a great way to celebrate how far we have already come this year and we can’t wait to see what other activities Pymble has in store for us!”
– Annabelle Robinson, Year 7
“To celebrate reaching 110 days of Year 7 we went back in time and played fun activities, learnt about interesting history from the school and had a lot of laughs. This fun event started off with a lovely lunch with our house group, we shared a lot of memories, funny times, and stories. I loved hearing about and seeing fascinating artifacts from around the school back then, like the various bags used for different school events and old photos phots taken around the school. We saw the different uniforms and even got to wear one of their winter hats! We then got the chance to play older games they used to play like jump rope and elastics. Finally, we had the opportunity to take part in learning different parts of Calisthenics like marching and squats which we then compared to a more modern type of exercise like Just Dance! This made me feel more connected to other generations of Pymble girls.”
– Charlotte Elliott, Year 7
“The 110 days of Year 7 celebration was a fun activity, where we learnt and experienced what life was like for students many years ago. We got to do calisthenics and try popular foods and games from the 1910’s.” – Lucy Laidlaw, Year 7
It’s always wonderful to have the chance to show the girls how their school began and to give them the opportunity to feel connected to those who came before them. This was one such occasion.
Students in formation for ‘physical culture’ on the grounds of Pymble Ladies’ College, c1919
Year 7 students re-enacting that type of scene today, 2026
Speech Day
Year 12 Students these days finish their official schooling at Pymble in Term 3. After this, their formal days of education are complete and it’s just the HSC exams that remain. Part of the celebrations to round-out the Pymble experience is Speech Day (along with Chapel Service, the hat toss, Valedictory Dinner and more).
Various staff across the College have asked me for details and images relating to various aspects of Pymble life, that they may have referred to in the speeches and sermons on the day. And in such searching, I am reminded of Speech Days of the past, as seen in these images from the College Archives.
Speech Day, c1920s. The students were required to wear a white dress for Speech Day. The Colonnade building can be seen in the background.
Speech Day, 1967. A special marquee tent had been erected for what was no doubt a hot day … and this gentleman has succumbed to the heat and has fallen asleep in this chair!
Speech Day, 1967, inside the marquee tent as above. The prizes are piled up – books and trophies. The ladies are wearing gloves and the majority of students have either short hair or in pigtails – all reflections of the time. Ever present is the Black Watch tartan fabric, synonymous with Pymble.
GOODLET SLEEPOVER
The first three buildings onsite at Pymble when the College began in 1916 included the Colonnade building, and the first two boarding houses – Lang and Marden. Goodlet boarding house came ten years later and so this year, Goodlet turns 100!
To celebrate this milestone, a special Goodlet sleepover was held. Generations of Pymble boarders had the chance to come back and sleep in the place they called home while they lived at the College.
To celebrate this birthday, please enjoy these images from the Archives that show Goodlet over time …
The opening of Goodlet House … 100 years ago, in 1926
Crowds outside Goodlet boarding house, opening in 1926
Mrs Katrina Corcoran (Hum 1987)
