Congratulations to our Class of 2021
Resilience and Brilliance Shines in our Class of 2021
We are incredibly proud of their HSC achievements and even prouder of how each girl navigated her unique learning journey during two years of unprecedented challenges and uncertainty.
In 2021, as a College community, we set ourselves a series of challenges based on the mantra ‘Have a go’. It started with the deeply personal mission to ‘Have a go’ at being “good with” yourself, inspired by the first female Vice President of America, Kamala Harris, who quashed a journalist’s attempt to compare her to Barack Obama with the simple and empowering statement, “I am who I am. I’m good with it.” As the year progressed, we encouraged each other to have a go at fronting up to hard conversations and tricky situations by “going direct with respect”, intentionally “finding joy” in a locked-down Term 3 and actively “preparing for change” as we transitioned back to face-to-face learning days ahead of the HSC examinations. If ever there was a year group that embodied this mantra, it was our Class of 2021. As individuals and as leaders of the school, our Year 12 girls showed up each day, on campus and online, with enthusiasm, positivity and commitment. They embraced online HSC Trials and continued to connect with the school joyfully and with gratitude, even through the disappointment of losing the opportunity to celebrate their last official day as Year 12 students on campus and to farewell the school at traditional events.
Pymble Ladies’ College Class of 2021
2 | Pymble Ladies’ College Congratulations to our Class of 2021
Congratulations to this remarkable cohort – and their brilliant teachers – for staying focused on their goals and never hesitating to ‘Have a go’ at all times. While results and ATARs are important, let’s not lose sight of a less visible achievement that goes unmarked but is just as deserving of celebration. In addition to achieving the wonderful results showcased in this publication, our Class of 2021 has role modelled to our students – particularly our younger girls who look up to our seniors – resilience in action. Thank you, Year 12, for the countless gifts you have brought to our community and for the memories we share. We can’t wait to see how you choose to use your compassion and influence to change the world around you, and look forward to continuing to support your journey as the newest members of our Pymble Alumni.
Dr Kate Hadwen PRINCIPAL
Striving for the Highest In 2021, our HSC students have exceeded our expectations.
Two hundred and fifteen students from Pymble Ladies’ College sat for the NSW Higher School Certificate in 47 courses. Completing full Trial Examinations under test conditions served as excellent preparation for their external HSC exams where improvements were seen across every learning area. When compared to the state average, results in Bands 5 and 6 (2 unit courses) and Bands E3 and E4 (Extension courses) have remained consistently high. On average, 74 per cent of Pymble candidates across all 2 unit courses offered at the College achieved results in Band 5 and 6, compared with 45 per cent of students across the state in the same subjects. Seventy per cent of our students had at least one Band 6 result (above 90) placing them on the Distinguished Achievers list and 22 students were named as All-rounders with Band 6 in ten or more units. Pymble shone in the following 21 subjects in which the combined Band 5 and 6 (above 80) results were 30 per cent or more above the state percentages: Agriculture, Ancient History, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Design and Technology, Earth and Environmental Science, Economics, English EAL/D, Food Technology, Geography, German Continuers, Hospitality, Investigating Science, Japanese Continuers, Legal Studies, Mathematics Standard, Modern History, PDHPE, Studies of Religion I and Textiles and Design.
Six outstanding subjects in 2021 were Investigating Science with Pymble claiming third and ninth in the state and 42 per cent of students in Band 6. In German Continuers, Japanese Continuers and Japanese Extension, Music 2 and Music Extension, every student achieved results in the top band. Our other extension subjects were successful once again with 100 per cent of students achieving the top two bands in Chinese Extension, English Extension 1, English Extension 2, French Extension, Latin Extension, Mathematics Extension 2 and Science Extension. In the period from 2020 to 2021, we were delighted that the following subjects made a significant percentage improvement in Band 6 results: •
Software Design and Development: 43 per cent
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Studies of Religion: 43 per cent
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Hospitality: 30 per cent
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Textiles and Design: 26 per cent
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Ancient History: 20 per cent
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Design and Technology: 13 per cent
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Visual Arts: 13 per cent
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Economics: 11 per cent.
Teachers and students worked tirelessly both remotely and after hours to complete major works in Dance, Drama, Music, Design and Technology, Textiles and Visual Arts to an incredibly high standard. However, as the major works were marked differently in 2021 due to COVID-19, schools were only permitted to nominate one or two students in each subject for exhibition in the various HSC Showcases. It was an impossible task as Pymble traditionally receives multiple nominations across all these subjects. We are very excited that Pymble has three students selected to have their major work exhibited at the HSC Showcase and Exhibitions – ARTEXPRESS and TEXStyle. It has been a privilege to help guide the class of 2021 to achieve incredible results in what has been an extraordinary year. There are many stories of courage and persistence behind all of these statistics. We are so proud of all our Pymble students and wish them every success in the future. Mrs Natasha Stanfield DIRECTOR OF STUDENT LEARNING (YEARS 11-12) REPORT
Cover image: Alexandra Whittingham and Esther Choi
Our Girls Were Courageous We are so very excited and proud to share the wonderful HSC results for our 2021 graduates. It is with much joy that we are hearing about the next stages in their life’s journey, as they let us know their plans for GAP years, employment and further study. Reflective of their interests and skills, the girls have enrolled in a diverse range of courses – including medicine, law, gaming studies, fashion design, cyber security, music production and song writing, biomedicine, biotechnology, emergency medicine, education and engineering – just to name a few. Wrapped around these academic results are the personal stories of each student. 2021 was a truly unique year that brought with it challenging circumstances and special opportunities, especially in Term 3. The shift to online learning revealed each girl’s strength of character, determination and capabilities. Alongside their personal academic achievements, the girls should also take great pride in the way they committed to and maintained their Co-curricular participation where possible. The range of online activities
Tess Rickard, Mrs Nikki Wyse (Head of Senior School) and Priya Mehra
in which the Year 12 girls participated was impressive! These included a variety of pursuits such as dance classes and concerts, music lessons and performances, debating and public speaking competitions, sports and fitness training, and art and textile making. The girls and teachers found creative ways to stage their talents, as many of the traditional performing and creative arts showcases moved online. Throughout their final year, the girls responded to changes with characteristic courage and a great sense of perspective. Many of the Year 12 girls also acted as online mentors to younger students to assist in keeping positive connections to the College. I firmly believe this commitment to their broader holistic development assisted many girls in keeping a sense of balance and wellbeing in their lives, which also enhanced their academic results. In addition to this, many of the students took advantage of the study skills programs that ran during term breaks, undertook their Trials online and engaged effectively in the HSC fitness program to keep academically ‘fit’ for
4 | Pymble Ladies’ College Congratulations to our Class of 2021
the delayed HSC examinations. This sense of agility and flexibility will stand the girls in good stead in their futures, and reinforced the value of achievement resulting from diligence. Every student’s story added to the complexity and richness of the tapestry of the year’s achievements. Year 12 is the culmination of 13 years of schooling and our Class of 2021 graduated and celebrated in unique and creative ways – never losing sight of their goals for the future. With their sense of optimism, friendship and community, they provided a wonderful support for each other, the younger students and their teachers. I am looking forward to tracking their next steps – confident in the knowledge that these young women have the determination and compassion to influence and lead their communities – be they local, national or global. Mrs Nikki Wyse HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL
Ilani Roder, Imogen Powell and Isabella Green
Farewell Year 12! Dove Ceremony
Ashley Chen and Clare Macpherson
Mr James Hunter (Chair of the Board), Dux Tess Rickard, Dr Kate Hadwen (Principal)
Following the release of the HSC results, our girls were able to celebrate their time at Pymble and acknowledge their incredible achievements with a memorable Chapel Service and Awards Ceremony. The special day also saw Tess Rickard named Dux of the Class of 2021. Congratulations to all!
Adriana Fydler, Samantha Connellan and Georgina Seymour
Ella Koster and Eisha Bwardwaj
NESA ALL-ROUND ACHIEVERS 22 Pymble students were named in the NESA All-round Achievers list. This list acknowledges the students who achieved a result in the highest band possible (Band 6 or Band E4) in ten or more units of courses in their current pattern of study:
Celebrating at the HSC Afternoon Tea
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Megan Buson
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Amy Cha
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Ashley Chen
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Esther Choi
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Serenna Di Bello
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Alice Guan
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Samantha Guthrie
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Serena Huang
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Emily Ji
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Helena Ji
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Ella Jones
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Jessica Lin
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Priya Mehra
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Tara Narayan
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Alessandra Natale
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Tess Rickard
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Emily Schliebs
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Lucy Small
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Arousha Soltany
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Haylee Turner
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Emma Wu
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Michelle Yeom
ATAR HSC Performance Pymble Ladies’ College performed exceptionally across Best in Subject, Top Achievers in Course list and All-round Achievers, with 43 mentions across the three categories.
BEST IN SUBJECT The following students earned a place in the Top Achievers in Course list across a variety of courses: Megan Buson 4th in Dance
Ella Koster 9th in Investigating Science
Serenna Di Bello 1st in Food Technology
Priya Mehra 12th in Biology
Anna Hong 3rd in Investigating Science
Mia Smal 8th in Textiles and Design
Ella Jones 5th in Chinese Extension
Hailey Wang 9th in English EAL/D
6 | Pymble Ladies’ College Congratulations to our Class of 2021
Distinguished Achievers 2021 ATAR RESULTS The highest reported ATAR achieved was 99.95, which was achieved by Tess Rickard. Other outstanding ATARS were: Esther Choi – 99.90
•
Emily Ji – 99.75
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Megan Buson – 99.50
100 80
101
60
56
40
20
13
In 2021, 150 Pymble girls appeared on the Distinguished Achievers list, which is equivalent to 70 per cent of the cohort.
STUDENTS
STUDENTS %
STUDENTS
The NESA Distinguished Achievers list acknowledges the students who achieved a result in the highest band (Band 6 or Band E4) for one or more courses.
47% 26%
6%
>99.00
>95.00
>90.00
The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) does not provide the College with ATAR results. The Director of Student Learning generates an estimate based on HSC results and compares these estimates with the ATAR results provided by those students who agree to provide the information. There is a high degree of correlation between the data sets.
Karenza Griffiths and Rachel Kang
Anna Hong
Zhizhen Wang, Alice Guan and Elizabeth Zhu Chan
Scoring 99.90 was “surreal” ESTHER CHOI Esther Choi admits she took several screenshots of her 99.90 ATAR... “It was somewhat surreal,” she shares. “I took screenshots in the unfounded fear that if I looked away, it would somehow disappear.” However, once the sense of shock wore off, Esther says, “I was left with pride in the work I had been able to complete and joy for the result I had been able to achieve.” Planning to study Medicine, Esther says she “aims to make a positive impact on society by being an advocate for public health and helping patients overcome and manage diseases for a better quality of life.” Adding, “While it is unlikely that I will create a cure for cancer or anything of the like, I believe that change comes from small and repeated actions of individuals looking to make the world a better place.” As for her advice for the cohort of 2022: “Keep doing the things you love and enjoy during your Year 12 journey. Whether this is sport or music or going out with your friends, having balance in your life is important to avoiding burnout and making the stressful times enjoyable. Tess Rickard and Esther Choi
Our Top Achievers
“Likewise, my study tip is to make sure you make the most of the time you allocate to study. Listening in class, studying in free periods, and spending time on high yield study techniques (practice questions, past papers, or teaching others) will streamline your study and free up time after school to do the things you enjoy.”
TESS RICKARD “Tess’ enthusiasm for learning is infectious,” says Tess Rickard’s Physics teacher Dr Glen McCarthy. “Her positive attitude and delightful sense of humour encouraged others to be their best. I’m thrilled that her hard work has been rewarded with this great result.” This hunger for learning resulted in 2021 Pymble Dux Tess scoring a perfect ATAR of 99.95 in the HSC, one of only 48 students (and 14 girls) to do so in NSW in 2021. “I was extremely excited to see my result!” Tess said. “It felt incredible to see all my hard work rewarded. I am so grateful for all the support and encouragement I received from my amazing teachers and friends.”
With a perfect ATAR, Tess is free to follow her dreams. However, instilled with a fervour to change the world, Tess has set her sights on tackling a problem which affects us all. “I’ve decided to do a degree in Renewable Energy Engineering which allows me to focus on my passion for the environment and work on one of the biggest issues facing the world, climate change, which demands urgent action,” Tess explains. “I believe that the transition to renewable energy technologies is the only way to save the world and the opportunity to study and work within such an important and growing industry is so exciting. My experiences as Environment Captain at Pymble fostered my passion in this area. I have always loved Maths and Physics and this
8 | Pymble Ladies’ College Congratulations to our Class of 2021
degree gives me the incredible opportunity to apply these skills to real-world problems.” A “strong student leader”, our Head of Senior School, Mrs Nikki Wyse, says Tess has applied herself to all aspects of life at Pymble. “In her years at the College, Tess has lived our values, participated in a wide range of sporting and cultural activities and been a great friend to so many,” Mrs Wyse says. “We are all very proud of these results, which reflect Tess’ dedication to learning and personal determination. Congratulations to Tess for this outstanding achievement!”
“I’m determined to change the world” ALEXANDRA WHITTINGHAM You were 2021’s Academic and Learning Captain, what impact did that role have on you?
You also participated in our brand campaign; how will you be applying ‘Watch Us Change the World’ to your life post-Pymble?
The role of Academic Learning Captain meant that I had a voice and a vehicle to leave a legacy at Pymble. I learned the importance of collaborating and the importance of working together to bring our combined ideas to fruition, benefiting not only myself but the whole cohort. The desire to reduce the academic culture of working individually and competing with each other was high on our radar, and by making our goals focused on team efforts, within the classroom as well as on the field, we assisted in breaking down the mentality of your HSC being only about each person..
I am following a STEM career path with my intended focus to be on medical research. Watch Us Change the World continually referred to the achievements of women over the centuries which was incredibly empowering and motivating. Pymble has given me the confidence and determination to be one of these women in the future.
Alexandra Whittingham and Esther Choi
What’s the best advice you received? “Answer the question!” It seems obvious but often you get lost in trying to write out all of the knowledge and content you have learned on a topic and drift from the specifics. Always refer back to the question after every point as staying on target consistently was key.
What will you miss most about Pymble? The relationships I formed with teachers and friends in such a short time through a crazy two years. I will miss school life in general – adulting and working is hard. What are your plans for 2022? I am heading straight to university. I will be studying Medical Science with the expectation of finding a path that absorbs me – watch this space…
“I Explored my Chinese Identity” A project for Sokratis encouraged Alice Guan to focus on Art in her senior years, which led to a dream selection for ARTEXPRESS ALICE GUAN Alice Guan had been a long-time admirer of the ARTEXPRESS exhibitions, which made it all the more rewarding when her work was selected. “It was a feeling of shock and disbelief,” Alice said. “Having been a tough year, I was very proud of this achievement.” From a young age, Alice enjoyed art however it was by chance that she picked it up as an elective in Year 9 as she wasn’t enjoying one of her other electives. A photography-focused project for Sokratis in Year 10 helped Alice realise that photo media was her forte and allowed her to explore her passion for art and other media, such as sculpture. Detailing her Body of Work, Alice, says, “My artwork, Traditions in Red and Black is composed of two sculptural hats with two self-portraits as an exploration of my Chinese identity. The idea to create hats was influenced by Peking Opera. I had always admired the intricacies of their headpieces and make-up in their performances and wanted it to carry through to my artwork.
Alice Guan
“The process of creating the work took a lot of experimentation. This included trying different materials like paper, wood, metal and plastic. Paper ended up being
10 | Pymble Ladies’ College Congratulations to our Class of 2021
the primary material as it was versatile and effectively conveyed the symbolism of and appreciation for traditional Chinese forms. Through the use of calligraphic ink paintings on paper fans and the use of black, white and red colours, it holds significance through the wealth and status that it offers in Chinese culture. Each hat took approximately three to four months to complete as it required a lot of attention to detail. “Being a photographer, the portraits were intended to be the main focus. Influenced by performance artist, Xie Rong, who is known for her porcelain face painting, the large-scale photographs, taken under careful lighting conditions, document the sculptural forms of the hat. It pays homage to Chinese art forms and speaks directly to my culture.” A labour of love, Alice says that Visual Arts provided balance for her as the majority of her HSC subjects (Geography, Business Studies and Economics) were content-based and required a lot of time memorising for exams. “Leading up to the submission of my Major Work and Trials, Art allowed me to take a break from the other subjects and acted as a haven for me,” says Alice, who plans to follow a career in entrepreneurship.
A Mental Note SANDY YI “My Body of Work (BOW), NOTHING TO SEE, aimed to portray the denial of mental health in society through the narrative of a girl who can see ill emotions as monstrous manifestations,” Sandy said. “I wanted to create a series of drawings that reflected humanity and was initially inspired by the word ‘Sonder’ which is defined as the realisation that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. Through the guidance of my teacher, Mr Del Favero, this concept had evolved into a graphic novel that explores mental health. “In the final years of high school, I experienced a lot of academic pressure to do well in the HSC, as do most people. Taking Visual Arts provided me with a creative outlet when I would feel tired and burnt out from studying and I found the process of creating
Sandy Yi
my major work to be fun and therapeutic. During a challenging time like the HSC, there were many times where I could just sit down and mindlessly draw for one or two hours after taking a content-heavy class.” Sandy’s teacher, Mr Del Favero, said Sandy’s Body of Work explored important subject matter: “Building awareness and support for the issue of youth mental health in society makes Sandy’s evocative and beautifully crafted BOW a well-deserved and significant selection in ARTEXPRESS Online. Each
beautifully rendered page of Sandy’s graphic novel has the power to make meaningful connections with others about the stresses and pressures of contemporary life.” Sandy discovered her love for drawing digitally when she was introduced to a graphic tablet in a Digital Drawing Co-curricular class in Year 7. She hopes to complete a degree in Animation at UTS and work for a company such as Animal Logic or Disney in the future. “I have always loved the combination of art and storytelling,” Sandy said.
Making History Lilian Jones
LILIAN JONES Lilian Jones spent many an early morning, free period and weekend in the Textiles room working on her Major Textiles Project (MTP) and her support document, writing and revising drafts, drawing sketches and creating and evaluating samples. But all that hard work paid off with a selection in TEXStyle. “Textiles was incredibly important to me throughout my senior years,” Lilian said. “I absolutely loved the subject and always felt so engaged and challenged by it. I was lucky to have the same wonderful teacher, Ms Hansby, each year from Year 8, who really helped to put everything in perspective, and stopped me from getting caught up in the anxiety which surrounds the HSC. Through her MTP she explored feminism and femininity, inspired by a myriad of iconic historical, and contemporary figures and eras.
“My work examines and challenges the depiction of 21st century women within today’s society and aims to create a conversation about our representation in the modern world, particularly in the media. As I designed my piece, I continued to research my theme, exploring individuals including Queen Elizabeth I, Naomi Wolf and Michelle Obama, the Suffragettes, and the #MeToo movement, and eras such as the 1980s. All of these factors were translated into my design through fabric choice, silhouettes, and decorative features.” Deferring university, where she plans to study Law and Politics, Philosophy and Economics, until 2023, Lilian hopes to follow her creative passions in 2022 and travel around Europe.
Hello USA! A phone call you’ll never forget... Finding out that I had been accepted to the university and team was extremely exciting and a huge relief that all the time and effort had resulted in reaching my goal. All this however was mixed with the nerves and anticipation to be moving across the world alone. What will you be studying? While my major is still undecided, I am very keen to enrol in some of the nationally recognised Agriculture programs that WSU offers. What drew you to the idea of studying internationally?
of this. As I listened to him teach for hours with such passion and care for his students it became well-defined that we needed to find something which made us equally as passionate. Was it difficult to choose a college without being able to tour it in person due to COVID-19? This was a huge challenge and meant many hours on Zoom calls with coaches, academic staff, and students from various colleges in order to find the one which I felt would be the best fit. However, I am excited to be a part of a new team alongside other international athletes and to compete across the country as we travel for competitions.
Georgina Ericsson
GEORGINA ERICSSON Please tell us about your scholarship and placement offer for Washington State University (WSU)? In August 2022, I will be commencing my first of four years as a student-athlete on the Washington State University Rowing team. As a part of my scholarship, I will be living on campus in the town of Pullman, Washington where I will have access to train and compete as a part of the Division 1 NCAA competition.
Around Year 9 I began to realise that a hobby that I really enjoyed would allow me to travel and study across the world. Washington State drew my attention due to its high-quality Rowing program, nationally recognised Agriculture program, and its location as a ‘college town’.
What has been a highlight of your time at Pymble?
How did your studies at Pymble help build a pathway to an international placement?
The best aspect of my education at Pymble was the independence and self-driven nature of our studies. With support from our teachers we were taught time management skills and encouraged to set goals which meant that we were held accountable for the effort we put in and the outcome of our results.
I had the honour of being taught by teachers who instilled the vital nature of finding and following our passions. My senior Agriculture class with Mr Jackson was a brilliant example
Back in Year 9, Georgina Ericsson started rowing towards her future, dreaming of studying abroad. Her dreams came true...
12 | Pymble Ladies’ College Congratulations to our Class of 2021
My involvement in the Rowing team. Over the five seasons I was able to build friendships, learn from amazing coaches and compete for the school at a high level.
Her studies at Pymble fostered a passion for problem-solving and critical analysis, and now Tara Narayan plans to apply them on a global scale at Oxford
The Radcliffe Camera Library at Oxford University
Tara Narayan
Oxford Bound
TARA NARAYAN Please tell us about your offer to study at the University of Oxford in England? I have received an offer to study Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE), a three-year course, at Oxford University. I’ve always had a strong interest in global issues, and between the course content of PPE in Oxford and the international location, it really appealed to me. I also have pending applications at some American universities, which I’ll hear from later in the year. I remember the night when offers were released, both my parents and I were furiously refreshing our emails to wait for the news. I saw the email before my parents and probably yelled loud enough for the neighbours to hear! How did you find the interview process? The interviewers are looking to see your thinking process and problem-solving skills. My experiences in Language Arts, especially debating and Model UN, were also instrumental in developing strong critical analysis skills. My teachers across all my HSC subjects were incredible, and all really valued discussion and critical reasoning, regardless of discipline.
Due to COVID-19, you couldn’t tour the College in person. Did that add another layer of difficulty? Everyone has certainly tried to make as many adjustments as possible. Oxford has 360-degree virtual tours of each college on its website, and there are a lot of guides and information available online to prospective international students to understand what life at Oxford is like. Being in touch with other past Pymble girls who are now at Oxford and family friends in the UK was also especially helpful in trying to navigate which schools I was applying to. Where do you hope your studies will take you? Having studied Economics and Legal Studies, I really enjoy the social sciences, and hope to learn more about the international issues the world faces and find potential solutions. Whether it’s co-ordinating domestic or international policy or innovation in think tanks, I plan to keep learning and problem-solving.
How important will studying abroad be for your personal development? I’m excited to continue learning with a global student community. Both my parents had the opportunity to study overseas, and the intercultural and diverse learning from an international cohort is incredibly valuable. What excites you most about the UK? Definitely not the weather! But seriously, I’m really looking forward to the location and travel opportunities. The UK is so connected to the rest of Europe – you can take a train to Paris and be back in the evening! What has been a highlight of your time at Pymble? There have been so many, but a big one is the Pymble Music program. From Preparatory School Choir to Chorale and Stage Band in Year 12, Pymble Music has provided incredible opportunities such as performing for mass at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome and singing with Stage Band and other bands in Japan. The other girls are incredibly skilled, yet never fail to make me laugh during early mornings in the band room.
Serenna Di Bello and Mrs Melanie Moar (TAS Teacher)
First in Course? Yes, Chef!
Serenna Di Bello
SERENNA DI BELLO In 2018, Pymble’s Emmerson Pearce came First in Course in Food Technology. Inspired to follow in her footsteps, and with the same teacher Mrs Melanie Moar at the helm, Serenna Di Bello did just that, coming First in the State in 2021. “Serenna’s passion, dedication and motivation towards Food Technology was second to none,” Mrs Moar said. “Aiming for First in the State has been a goal of Serenna’s, and we worked hard for this dream to come to fruition. She was never afraid to be challenged, asking questions or submitting past papers for marking and always striving to enhance her own knowledge and understanding. Serenna meticulously completed study notes and took on board feedback to improve her mastery of syllabus concepts. I am extremely proud of Serenna’s achievement and feel honoured to have been part of her Food Technology journey.”
Reflecting on her First in Course result, Serenna has nothing but praise for Mrs Moar. “The most integral part of this accomplishment is my wonderful teacher Mrs Moar. She has not only constantly nurtured my passion and interest for the subject with her care, time and effort, but created the most loving and safe space within her classroom that made me feel truly valued and supported.” With a passion for learning, Serenna embraced every opportunity to challenge herself at Pymble through participation in the da Vinci Decathlon, Hypatia and Sokratis program, as well as opening herself up to unexpected electives, like Food Technology. “I love how multi-disciplinary the subject is,” Serenna said. “I think it’s misunderstood by many as just a cooking or highly-practical course, but it covers so many areas of theoretical knowledge which not only gives you real life skills and information, but a deep insight into the mechanisms of the Australian food industry from a number of
14 | Pymble Ladies’ College Congratulations to our Class of 2021
vantage points – the very thing that puts food on our plates! I loved how I could apply my understanding in a practical way, engage in the culinary and artistic side of preparing food, learn about a range of topics such as nutrition, agriculture, manufacturing and marketing all in the one subject!” Post-Pymble, Serenna hopes to do a Bachelor of Psychology with a major in Pure Mathematics or a Bachelor of Science/ Master of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Sydney. “I am really interested in pursuing Clinical Psychology and potentially Psychiatry with a focus on eating disorders,” Serenna said. “During 2022, I am planning on working as a tutor, and depending on my schedule, am looking into enrolling at Le Cordon Bleu Sydney to undertake their ‘Grand Diplome’ course, which incorporates culinary and patisserie certifications, to pursue my love for food and cooking!”
Lights, camera, Sophie! Sophie Smith
SOPHIE SMITH Joining Pymble in Year 11 as a Boarder, Sophie Smith was unsure whether she should study Drama in her senior years. However, with the encouragement of her friends, she took the plunge. “My friends helped me to get out of my comfort zone and their constant support was so beneficial to my learning,” Sophie said. “At Pymble, I was constantly encouraged by my Drama teachers to challenge myself, to take a chance and give it a go.” Turns out, Sophie is a natural and has since been accepted into NIDA’s Diploma of Stage and Screen Performance.
“It’s a year-long intensive and practical course which puts actors centre stage and in front of the camera, to develop and perform your own stories for stage and screen,” Sophie said. “When I received a call from NIDA I was over the moon and so shocked. Picking Drama as a HSC subject helped me to continue my love of performance and it was my Year 12 monologue that helped me to secure a spot at NIDA. I hope to grow my skillset, further challenge myself and grab hold of any opportunity that comes my way.”
NIDA’s Next Gen IMOGEN POWELL Imogen Powell has been dreaming of pursuing make-up artistry since she was 13, keeping her eye on one particular course at NIDA. And she knew just who to talk to about it. “I had been looking at this NIDA course, knowing that was exactly what I wanted to do as soon as a I graduated and lucky for me, I actually had someone to talk to about it, Monique Muskens,” Imogen said. “Monique graduated from Pymble in 2018 and did NIDA’s make-up course in 2019, so hearing all about her experience inspired me to pursue my passion for the arts. After her year at NIDA, Monique has worked on multiple short films, advertisements, theatre productions and even worked on Marvel films
behind the scenes. Being in the film industry is particularly the field I am interested in as a make-up artist, so seeing where this course has taken her since graduating is super inspiring and very exciting for me.” The course is NIDA’s Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services) and is one year long and highly intensive. However, Imogen feels prepared for the challenge. “I know that NIDA searches for individuals who are resilient, independent, courageous, and confident enough to thrive in that particular industry, qualities that Pymble has always encouraged ever since my first year of being at the school in 2016,” she explains.
Imogen’s make-up art
“Considering the film industry is massive in Australia at the moment, I am very excited to be studying in Sydney, and building up my portfolio in my hometown for my first few years as a working make-up artist. I love this career as I know, especially for working in film productions, it commonly requires travelling to different places, so in the future I hope to travel and continue to pursue my dreams wherever I may be in the world.”
UNSW CO-OP SCHOLARSHIPS AND CADETSHIPS
Women have so much to offer and closing the gender gap will allow for innovative solutions that come from greater diversity and unique perspectives.
Upskilling Graduates The UNSW Co-op Scholarships and Cadetships are highly competitive programs for a reason, offering students the chance to complete their tertiary studies and experience the workforce at the same time. Add to that career pathways which are traditionally male-dominated, and you will find Pymble girls ready to change the world. “Pymble girls have always thrived in traditionally male-dominated fields and Tess, Eisha, Emily, Arousha and Michelle are fabulous examples of students who enjoyed their studies of Physics, Software Design and Development and Economics which have led them to such interesting career paths,” says Pymble’s Director of Student learning (Years 11-12) Mrs Natasha Stanfield. “These prestigious UNSW Co-op Scholarships and Cadetships will give them valuable internships in industry while at university to kickstart their careers.” Our Director of Futures and Partnerships (K-12) Mr Andrew Kozyra agrees: “Cadetships provide our young women the opportunity to combine study with paid work, straight out of school. Cadetships often allow access to some of the most desirable organisations, while many employers offering cadetships are also keen to offer opportunities to young women who are prepared to work in fields which have historically been male-dominated.” Here, we chat to Tess Rickard and Eisha Bhardwaj about their exciting scholarship and cadetship offers. Please tell us about your cadetship offers... Eisha: I have been offered a cadetship at the Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) which is one of the largest investment banks in the world through Professional Cadetships Australia. The cadetship is for four years, and I will be working in the Global Markets division whilst managing full-time university. I will be involved in advising clients on investment products and strategies, and trading equities for clients. Tess: I have been offered a conditional offer for the UNSW Co-op Program Scholarship in Renewable Energy Engineering. This scholarship connects students with sponsors and provides up to 18 months of industry experience. The scholarship also provides
Tess Rickard
financial support, networking opportunities, and professional development training with a focus on transferable personal skills such as teamwork and leadership. My offer has links to some incredible companies that are working towards a sustainable future, and I am so excited to work with them. For example, one of the sponsors is 5B who is building the world’s largest solar farm and battery storage facility in the Northern Territory. This facility will be 40 times larger than anything currently built in Australia and will provide Singapore with 24/7 renewable power! How important are cadetships for students in furthering their studies? T: I think cadetships are extremely valuable. They offer students a truly unique experience of working in a field as they study it, allowing students to develop practical, technical skills that graduates often lack. Why did you choose to go into Accounting/Economics? E: The field sparked my interest whilst studying economics in Years 11 and 12. The course taught me the prevalence and importance of economics/finance as it affects every aspect of daily life. I further developed my interest in the field by watching
16 | Pymble Ladies’ College Congratulations to our Class of 2021
YouTube videos surrounding emerging financial technologies and investing in the share market. I also wanted to contribute to increasing the ratio of females in investment banking as currently only 22 per cent of investment bankers are female. Having participated in a range of Co-curricular activities at Pymble, from sports to debating to robotics to leadership, I have been able to discover my strengths and what fields interest me the most. Furthermore, having such an extensive resume of Co-curricular activities and sport gave me a competitive edge whilst applying for the cadetship. Let’s talk about gender equality in the workplace... T: I think gender equality in traditionally maledominated fields, including engineering, is crucial. Women have so much to offer within these fields and closing the gender gap will allow for innovative solutions that come from greater diversity and unique perspectives. However, women are often deterred by key factors which perpetuate gender gaps including stereotypes that view STEM fields as masculine and the resulting male-dominated cultures within these fields. Because of this, young girls have fewer role models to look up to in these areas which encourages smaller participation.
UNSW CO-OP SCHOLARSHIPS AND CADETSHIPS
A Good Investment Emily Ji, who achieved an ATAR of 99.75, hopes to build a career in Finance and encourage more women to do so
Emily Ji
Congratulations on your offer to UNSW, please tell us about your scholarship?
Where do you hope your studies will take you post-Pymble? E: After completion of my studies, I plan to pursue work in the financial services industry through the cadetship at UBS whilst completing a Commerce/Computer Science degree. Ultimately, I aspire to launch a financial technology start-up that positively disrupts the traditional financial system and innovates to improve the efficiency and management of financial services.
Why Finance and Banking?
I was recently offered the UNSW Co-op Scholarship for Finance and Banking. The scholarship provides me with amazing internship opportunities in the financial sector at firms such as J.P. Morgan and CitiBank during my tertiary studies. Entering the UNSW Co-op program has been my goal throughout Senior School and to finally achieve it was such an extraordinary feeling! How did your studies at Pymble help build a pathway to a Finance and Banking scholarship? My studies at Pymble have helped me develop a curiosity to grapple with concepts that fascinate me. For me, this emerged during the Year 10 Passion Project where I decided to develop an investment thesis and invest my savings in the ASX, giving me my first taste of the financial world. In Senior School, Economics deepened my understanding of the logical, analytical nature of finance and supported my growing passion to enter the industry. But surprisingly, it was Physics that truly set me on my pathway to a Finance and Banking scholarship, with Dr Spence always pushing me to exercise my curiosity and determination to find answers.
The financial world strikes me as incredibly dynamic and fast-paced. As someone who enjoys being busy and working on tough, conceptual problems, this environment really excites me. Not only this, with senior roles in financial firms often held by men, I hope to become an example for young women and encourage them to consider a career in Finance. What has been a highlight of your time at Pymble? Founding the Pymble Business Club. I began club activities in Year 11 and very quickly, Friday lunchtimes became my favourite time of the week. We would discuss topics like investing, IPOs, capital structure, among others, and it made me so excited to see the girls become just as fascinated as I was. Also, my involvement in the Pymble Cadet Unit, the Volleyball team, orchestras and choirs has been an integral part of growing my confidence and leadership. The school offers so many incredible opportunities outside of the classroom to try something new, which has truly defined my Pymble journey. Where do you hope your studies will take you? After studying a Commerce degree, I hope to join an investment bank and eventually work for a start-up in financial technology. I ultimately want to reach a place where I can create value for society, and I believe finance may be an unexpected, but powerful place to do so.
Eisha Bwardwaj
UNSW CO-OP SCHOLARSHIPS AND CADETSHIPS
UNSW CO-OP SCHOLARSHIPS AND CADETSHIPS
“Computer Science Opened My Eyes”
Armed with a UNSW Co-op Scholarship, tech-savvy Arousha is determined to change the culture of women in STEM
AROUSHA SOLTANY Congratulations on your UNSW Co-op Scholarship, how incredible was it to receive the news? Studying at UNSW in and of itself was beyond exciting for me as it is an amazing university, especially in my field of Computer Science. The Co-op scholarship was the ‘cherry on top’. I am beyond excited for these next four years of personal and professional development. How did your studies at Pymble help build a pathway to studying Computer Science? Studying at Pymble, I was constantly reminded of the power I hold as a young woman entering this modern world. Being surrounded by my amazing peers and other powerful female figures within our community was inspiring, instilling within me an excitement to make a change and become a leader in this world. This confidence and eagerness in conjunction with my own journey throughout high school led to me studying Computer Science. Throughout my schooling I had always enjoyed my creative subjects and my mathematical subjects and in Year 11, upon starting Software Design and Development (SDD), I came to the realisation that a career in this field is highly mathematical yet satisfies the part of me that loves to
“I'm Going to be an Actuary”
create. My amazing SDD teacher (Director of Innovative Learning Technologies and Student Leadership Co-ordinator) Mr England opened my class’ eyes to the possibilities a career in this industry held and his passion rubbed off onto a number of us who will be pursuing similar careers in the future. How important is female representation in these traditionally male-dominated fields? If you put aside gender and attempt to understand these situations in much more simple terms - these ‘male-dominated industries’ are essentially just industries wherein half the human population is not active. It can then be concluded that with the integration of that second half of the population we could have twice as many viewpoints, twice as many questions and twice as many solutions produced. STEM industries are particularly in need of urgent change as professionals in these industries are essentially shaping our future world, hence, we should attempt to maximise the number of perspectives we have in these industries. The culture in STEM must be changed. The number of girls interested in STEM will increase when they have female role models to aspire to.
Arousha Soltany
What has been a highlight of your time at Pymble? A Pymble experience which I would choose to relive any day would be the Italian Tour which I and a small group of girls were able to attend during the 2019/2020 summer holiday. It was undeniably the best month of my life during which we explored a number of beautiful Italian cities, led by my amazing Italian teacher Prof Sorina Cepraga. Besides learning the language in a Perugian university, I learned a lot about myself. This trip also became the catalyst for me to choose Italian Beginners as one of my HSC subjects.
Michelle says her love of Mathematics inspired her to choose Actuarial Studies
MICHELLE YEOM When Michelle Yeom saw ‘conditional offer’ next to her name she felt “both elated and shocked”. “My offer for Actuarial Studies is part of the Co-op Scholarship Program at UNSW,” Michelle explains. “It’s a four-year program combining academic studies and three different industry training opportunities. If you really to want to pursue a certain career path, it gives you work experience and allows you to apply your studies to the workplace.”
“I had an unforgettable Maths Extension 2 class, and also was part of Business Club which introduced me to how interesting finance could be,” shares Michelle, who also achieved a spot on the All-rounders list. “I think it was especially during my senior years at Pymble that I realised I loved challenges and learning, which are qualities fit for both this career and the Co-op program.”
18 | Pymble Ladies’ College Congratulations to our Class of 2021
Michelle Yeom and Tara Narayan
That’s Gold! 2021 saw 18 Pymble students complete the five elements required to achieve their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award including Lara Blair, Emily Farrall, Sophia Benson, Yangyang Zhang, Emily Oppenheim, Samantha Connellan, Amy Cha, Sophia Yin, Sandy Yi, Mia De Riz, Hannah Edwards, Emilia Soghomonian, Emily Ji, Victoria Graves, Lauren Geddes, Nicola Farquharson, Sarah Chan and Alice Dixon. Our girls showed the commitment required to maintain a Skill, Sport, Volunteer Service, and multiple Adventurous Journeys throughout the entirety of their Pymble journey. Cumulating in the combined 156 hours of activities and 13 days of away from home camps mandatory for the Gold Award. Given the extra challenges 2021 threw at the participants of this award, which included changes in most of their activities and their abilities to undertake these, the girls have shown the tenacity, perseverance and solution focus that will set them in good stead for the future of our ever-changing world. These students have maintained dedication to Tennis, Netball, Running, Personal Training, Soccer, Volleyball, and Jogging. They have perfected Cooking, Driving, Drawing, Reading and Writing, and most importantly to us, contributed to their community through Coaching, Lifesaving, Teaching Assistance, Pymble Preparatory Care, Reading with disadvantaged young folks, and jointly making multiple blankets for those in need through Wrap with Love. All of these activities were balanced with leadership duties and academic commitments, ensuring they learned the valuable art of self-management.
Duke of Edinburgh recipients Alice Dixon, Lara Blair, Victoria Graves and Nicola Farquharson
Lara Blair, who completed all three levels of the Duke of Edinburgh award said, “The Duke of Edinburgh has genuinely shaped the person I am today, it has taught me the power of commitment, service and dedication, and the profound impact these values can have on others. Having completed all three levels, Bronze, Silver, and Gold, I have learned a lot about myself, psychologically, emotionally, and physically when undertaking the adventurous journeys. My favourite memory and experience would be hiking for 60 kilometres on five different occasions, which has been a momentous achievement. I have learned how to be resilient, patient and kind to myself in times of stress and intensity.” As agreed by most of the girls, the challenging and resilience building outdoor camps were a highlight. Multi-day trips Hiking, Canoeing and exploring empowered them all with the growth of their capabilities and independence.
156 hours of activities and 13 days of away from home camps
Alice Dixon and Lara Blair
Standout Sportswoman She made history playing in the NSW Premier Cricket Men’s Competition. Now with the Australian cricket team in her sights, Shivani Mehta is heading to the UK to do some reconnaissance work with the opposition...
2021 Achievements
SHIVANI MEHTA How did you balance sport and academic work in your final year of studies? It was really hard completing 11 HSC Units whilst training and playing up to 30 hours of sport every week. I had to be really organised and keep ahead of my schoolwork, particularly when I knew I would miss classes due to competitions and training. Being part of the Pymble Elite Sportswomen’s Program (PESP) really helped. I had weekly meetings with Miss Halliday, and she would provide the support to help me plan my week and communicate with my teachers to make sure I could get all my work and assignments completed on time. What subjects did you lean towards to keep that balance? I obviously leant towards PDHPE as it is a subject that interests me due to my obsession with sport. I also chose Geography and Earth and Environmental Science, as these were subjects that I enjoyed and complemented each other, making it easier to balance my studies with sport. Interestingly, I really enjoyed doing Mathematics’ Extension 1, as it was a challenge and required me to have a different approach to studying. What was the biggest challenge of Year 12 in 2021? Like many other students, being in lockdown for extended periods of time. I missed seeing my friends at school and especially playing sports, as I thrive off competing. However, lockdown taught me to be resilient, as I had to find alternative ways to maintain my fitness. Through this challenge I found a love for long distance running.
What are your plans for 2022? I am taking a gap year to focus on training and playing cricket. I am looking forward to the opportunity to travel to England and play cricket in the English cricket season. I will also be doing some sports coaching at Pymble and am working at the Runaway Spoon. Next year, I plan to go to university to study Sports and Exercise Science. Is there the possibility you might play for the Sydney Sixers? After getting the opportunity to train with the Sydney Sixers and NSW Breakers for the past couple of years, my goal is to gain selection for both these teams this year and to play for Australia in the next three to five years. What has been a highlight of your time at Pymble?
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Made history by becoming the first female to play for the Manly-Warringah fifth Grade team in the NSW Premier Cricket Men’s Competition.
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Awarded the Basil Sellers Scholarship by Cricket NSW.
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Offered a sponsorship from Shane Watson as an ambassador for T20 Stars.
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Selected in the U19 NSW Metropolitan Team and participated in the U19 Cricket Australia National Championships in Aubury.
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Played for Northern District First Grade Team in the NSW Premier Cricket Women’s Competition and won the premiership, becoming First Grade Champions.
On my first day at Pymble in Year 5, I remember going to the gym and seeing Ellyse Perry’s name on the list of previous Sports Captains at the school. From that moment on, it was a dream of mine to be Sports Captain. Being selected as Sports Captain has been a great honour. What has been the best aspect of your education at Pymble? I have enjoyed getting to know all my teachers, especially in my final two years. You spend a lot of time with your teachers, so it is really nice to have created strong bonds with them. What’s the best advice you have received? Take every opportunity you are given and do the best you can in every situation. Shivani Mehta
20 | Pymble Ladies’ College Congratulations to our Class of 2021
Our Olympic Champion Skier Kyra Wheatley possesses the determination and persistence of a true champion; here she shares how she stays positive in the face of constant change.
Kyra competing at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics
KYRA WHEATLEY
What are your plans for 2022?
Please tell us about your achievements in Snow Sports in 2021...
I plan to start getting back into the Snow Sports world as restrictions ease in Australia. I am also very excited to become part of the UTS Snow Sports team as I study a Bachelor of Construction Project Management at their campus.
Though I was not able to compete in 2021 I remain the Under 18 Years Australian Alpine Champion and Under 21 Years Australian Ski Cross Champion. I also competed at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics Games and came 13th which is one of the biggest achievements of my skiing career. Will you be competing in the Winter Olympic Games? The upcoming Olympics? Sadly, no. Due to COVID-19 many plans changed due to lockdowns and restrictions. Though I am very keen to watch this year’s 2022 Winter Olympic athletes and maybe someday I’ll be skiing among them. If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that life can take crazy turns, though we always end up at the right place.
What has been the best aspect of your education at Pymble? The education that I have received at Pymble has been nothing but supportive. All the teachers at the College always helped to arrange the workload around my training and competing schedule. I couldn’t have balanced both my academics and sport without Miss Halliday, she has been an amazing mentor to me since Year 7. Throughout my 13 years at Pymble, it’s hard to say goodbye, though I won’t forget all the friendships and memories that I made. Legal Studies and Biology were my favourite subjects, so I was always excited when I got work for those subjects.
What was the biggest challenge of Year 12 in 2021? The biggest challenge would probably be the same as most other students around the world, which is dealing with the changes to the learning system during the pandemic. The last couple of years have been hard for us all, but we have persisted and come out stronger with the help of Pymble making online classes simple and easy to follow. What piece of advice has helped you through? It was not advice per se, that has stuck with me from the College, but a motto that I saw on a shield along the Colonnade wall in Year 7. “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Till your good is better. And your better best.” This quote helped me become a better person and athlete.
A Standing Ovation A state ranking and near perfect scores between them, close friends Megan and Tiana are dancing towards bright futures
Megan Buson and Tiana Zarafetas
MEGAN BUSON AND TIANA ZARAFETAS Beginning their Pymble journey together in Year 5, Megan Buson and Tiana Zarafetas became instant friends. They both joined the Eisteddfod Dance groups, going on to dance endless shows side-by-side, eventually becoming Co-captains of Co-curricular Dance during their final year. Even in the HSC, they were in sync, both receiving outstanding results – Megan achieved 100/100 and Tiana achieved 99/100 in Dance, with Megan placing 4th in the state in Dance. “We had always pushed each other to do our best and in the end, it was worth it!” Tiana says of her friendship with Megan. “Megan and I have been very close friends since we both started at Pymble. I’ve watched her grow and it’s been so inspiring to see so much talent evolve over the years. Especially through Dance we share so many memories together, being Co-captains, going on Dance tour together and being in the same friendship group. I will definitely miss having this partnership in the future.” Admitting to shedding a few “happy Dance mum tears”, the girls’ teacher, Head of Dance, Miss Katrina Cluff, was thrilled to see her students succeed.
“Right from Junior School, Tiana and Megan’s outstanding results in Dance are due to their ability to show up, train hard, ask questions and think critically about their own works and the works they were studying. Their contribution to Pymble Dance has been immense. They were both humble in their approach but also had a strong vision of what they wanted to achieve, and the lockdowns were not going to get in their way!” Acknowledging the “messy” two years of study due to COVID-19 restrictions, Miss Cluff says her 12 2021 Dance students left a “strong imprint” on her. “The girls transitioned from the studio to the screen and maintained an incredibly positive vibe,” Miss Cluff said. “Physically, mentally and emotionally HSC Dance asks a lot of the students and regardless of a mark on paper each student created outstanding works about the world around them. From dancing in the Main Hall, to our own Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts (GMCPA) stage and then to their bedrooms at home our girls continued to draw heartstrings for me as their teacher. Even though they didn’t get a show or an audience they deserve a massive standing ovation.”
Despite the challenges of completing a highly practical subject online, Megan says studying Dance has been “such a joy”. “Miss Cluff worked us hard, pushing us to achieve our potential, while also creating a culture of feedback, reflection, and improvement as we refined our Dance works through the year. I could not have done it without her.” Megan says that she thrived on the “freeing creative expression of Dance” when her more rigorous academic stress built up. “It meant that studying was actually enjoyable!” she said. “I love that movement can embody and express such emotion, beauty and character. And how out of nothing, except your body and some music, you can create something unique, something that’s purely yours.” Left “speechless” over her ATAR of 99.50 and state ranking, Megan plans to study a Bachelor of Commerce with an added focus on environmental subjects to pursue her passion for sustainability. Tiana looks forward to studying at UTS, while continuing to dance and teach. “I am looking forward to coming back to Pymble to co-teach Dance classes for the program!” Tiana said.
22 | Pymble Ladies’ College Congratulations to our Class of 2021
2021 HSC Results Overview
22 ALL-ROUND
ACHIEVERS
2-Unit Results in Bands 5 and 6 Pymble Average
NSW Average
Megan Buson
74%
45%
PYMBLE RANKED
25
th
IN SMH TOP 100 SCHOOLS REPORT Tiana Zarafetas
215 PYMBLE STUDENTS SAT FOR
48
HSC COURSES
150
13 STUDENTS WITH
ATARS >99.00
GIRLS ON THE DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVERS LIST
Dance Captain Duet, 2020
(Band 6 in one or more subjects)
pymblelc.nsw.edu.au Avon Road Pymble NSW 2073 PO Box 136 North Ryde BC NSW 1670 Australia +61 2 9855 7799
2022-P1-MY 2v
A SCHOOL OF THE UNITING CHURCH ACN 645 100 670 | CRICOS 03288K
24 | Pymble Ladies’ College Congratulations to our Class of 2021