Pymble Ladies’ College was founded by Dr John Marden, a man who believed that women should be given the best that education had to offer and encouraged girls to think for themselves and live by the college motto: “All’ Ultimo Lavoro” — “Strive for the Highest”.
Today, Pymble Ladies’ College exemplifies the spirit of its founder as an exceptional school for the education of girls and young women. “Our five core values of care, courage, integrity, respect and responsibility encapsulate the spirit of the college and underpin the ethos of our community service program,” says Principal Vicki Waters. “Students are empowered to strive for excellence, but are also motivated to be equally committed to service and social justice through contributing back to the community and supporting charities.”
Pymble Ladies’ College offers a worldclass learning environment that provides opportunities for excellence in academic studies, sport and the arts, a comprehensive curriculum with outstanding facilities and a nurturing pastoral care program that recognises each girl’s unique strengths and qualities. Students are encouraged to explore a vast array of programs while benefiting from smaller class sizes and specialist teachers.
“The philosophy at the school is to offer girls an extensive and diverse range of opportunities at every level of schooling and to help nurture confidence and self-esteem,” says Ms Waters. The college provides a happy, safe and nurturing environment, offering more opportunities to pursue a balanced education encompassing life skills, personal development, physical wellbeing, creative fulfilment and academic excellence.
“Pymble fosters the development of leadership in all students and nurtures each girl’s growth towards becoming a more capable, caring, confident, independent young woman with a strong sense of social responsibility,” says Ms Waters.
Facilities: Three fields including a synthetic turf field, 11 netball and tennis courts, a music school, an indoor sports centre containing a gym, basketball courts, dance studio and lecture rooms, 12 fully-equipped science labs, two lecture theatres, computer labs, an extensive library with audio-visual facilities, CD-ROM and computer links. A new state-of-the-art Senior School Centre dedicated to the unique developmental and educational requirements of students in Years 11 and 12 opened in 2011. Recent building developments include the technology and applied studies centre, a Preparatory School and the Conde library. A state-of-the-art performing arts centre, with seating capacity for 750 was opened in 2005. Three boarding houses offer a friendly, nurturing home away from home, with IT access from each girl’s desk. Laptops are provided from Year 5 and extensive information technology resources are available throughout the college.
Electives Years 7 and 8: Chinese Beginners, Chinese Heritage, English, French, Financial Literacy (Year 8), Geography, German, Japanese, Latin (Year 8), Literacy and Language (Year 8), History, Mathematics, Music, Music Elective (Year 8), PD/Health/PE, Religious Education, Science, Technology, Visual Arts.
Electives Years 9 and 10: Aboriginal Studies (Year 10), Agriculture, Chinese Beginners, Chinese Heritage, Classical Greek, Commerce, Drama, Dance (Year 10), English, Food Technology, French, Geography, German, History, Japanese, Latin, Literacy and Learning (Year 10), Marine and Aquaculture Technology (Year 10), Mathematics, Music Elective, PASS (Physical Activity and Sports Studies), PD/Health/PE, Photographic and digital Media (Year 10), Religious Education, Science, Textiles Technology, Visual Arts.
Electives Years 11 and 12: Agriculture, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Classical Greek Continuers, Classical Greek Extension (Year 12), Dance, Drama, Earth and Environmental Science, Economics, English Advanced, English Extension 1, English Extension 2 (Year 12), English (ESL), Food Technology, French Continuers, French Extension (Year 12), Geography, German Continuers, German Extension (Year 12), Ancient History, Modern History, History Extension (Year 12), Hospitality, Italian Beginners, Japanese continuers, Japanese Extension (Year 12), Latin Continuers, Latin Extension (Year 12), Legal Studies, General Mathematics, Mathematics, Mathematics Extension 1 and Mathematics Extension 2 (Year 12), Music 1, Music 2, Music Extension (Year 12), PD/Health/PE, Physics, Senior Science (Year 12), Studies of Religion 1, Textiles and Design, Visual Arts.
Sport: Athletics, badminton, basketball, biathlon, cricket, cross-country, diving, equestrian, fencing, football (soccer), futsal, golf, gymnastics, hockey, mountain biking, netball, rowing, sailing, snow sports, softball, surf life-saving, swimming, tae kwon do, tennis, touch football, triathlon, volleyball, water polo.
Co-curricular activities: Artwear/jewellery, bands, ceramics, choral groups, dance, debating, digital artmaking/Photoshop, drama club, dressmaking, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, FISH, fitness classes, Higher Lifesaving Awards, instrumental ensembles, Mock Trial, mooting, oil painting, orchestra, photography, speech and drama, sport, stagecraft and performance, Tournament of Minds, tours and exchange programs, yoga.
Welfare and personal development: Pastoral care is an integral part of the policies and practices of the school, with two counsellors on staff. Careers guidance is offered for Years 7 to 12 and leadership training is provided in Year 10.
From the school: Pymble Ladies’ College is a leading private girls’ school offering more opportunities for girls and young women to excel. Pymble students enjoy a balanced educational experience featuring extensive curricular and co-curricular educational programs, advanced learning technology, outstanding facilities, and wide ranging choices in the performing arts, sporting and cultural arenas. The college motto of All’ Ultimo Lavoro (“Strive for the Highest”) inspires students and staff to go beyond and to be the best that they can be. Five core values — care, courage, integrity, respect and responsibility — encapsulate the spirit of the college and provide a strong foundation for dynamic learning.
Famous ex-students: Melissa Doyle, Justice Elizabeth Evatt, Judge Judith Cohen, Mollie Dive, Professor Gillet, Dame Joan Hammond, Jacqui Mackenzie, Ellyse Perry.
Principal: Mrs Vicki Waters.