When Pymble Ladies’ College opened its doors on February 8, 1916, one-third of the 60 students were boarders and the girls’ beds were situated on the open balconies year-round.
That ratio – not to mention the sleeping arrangements – has changed substantially. Pymble’s 120 boarders now represent around six per cent of the student body and enjoy modern, comfortable rooms in beautiful and historical boarding houses.
Each boarding house is age-specific – Lang House for Year 12, Goodlet House for Years 10 and 11 and Marden House for Years 7, 8 and 9. The number of boarders is kept small in order to be able to nurture the girls at their different stages of physical, emotional, social and spiritual growth.
Principal Vicki Waters said boarders were revered as the college’s “heart”. “As boarders, they experience personal attention because we want every girl to feel she’s coming home after school each day to a place where she is loved.”
Mrs Waters said boarders have their own badge, spaces and traditions, and are encouraged to live by the college’s values – care, courage, integrity, respect and responsibility.
Many boarders come from Australia’s regional areas and Mrs Waters said they regularly tell her they love looking out onto the college’s beautiful gardens from their boarding houses.
“Our wide, open spaces make Pymble feel like a second home,” she said.
Pymble encourages strong relationships between boarders and with their families.
“The older girls are big sisters to the younger ones, invite them to their houses and take them to chapel. Boarders’ families are always welcome to stay on-campus with their daughters,” Mrs Waters said.
She said the college is balanced in its passions and demonstrates to students that true success comes from a holistic approach to education. This approach values academic success, music and cultural pursuit, sporting achievement, community service and wellbeing.
The college provides more academic choices to enable girls to match their interests and abilities as well as an extensive range of co-curricular programs, including professional sports coaching, music tuition and ensembles, all located on campus.
“Pymble Ladies’ College really is Australia’s leading school for girls,” Mrs Waters said.
- Visit pymblelc.nsw.edu.au
