Principal’s Welcome

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Few decisions in life hold the same significance and importance as choosing the right school for your daughter. It is a decision that will not only shape her development during her school years, but also the type of woman she becomes after graduation.

Understandably, when it comes to making this decision, you want the very best for your daughter; we want that too. You want to provide her with every opportunity to realise her hopes and aspirations. You want her to be happy, safe and nurtured, and to have the ideal platform on which to grow into a healthy, confident and capable adult. At Pymble Ladies’ College, we support our students to make the most of their individual potential and the opportunities available. We are passionate about ensuring our girls feel known and valued for who they are, at Pymble we celebrate the uniqueness of each girl.

Pymble is a family, and as parents you will be encouraged to take an active role in your daughter’s education. We want to hear from you when we get it right, and when we can do better.

The greatest gift we give each girl is a passion for learning. I’m proud of the incredible teaching staff we have at Pymble. We are in the business of supporting the development of life-long learners. As a critical part of our commitment to personalising the learning journey for your daughter, we will guide and challenge her thinking. The world needs independent, critical thinkers; this is the hallmark of a Pymble girl.

Pymble has a long tradition of excellence in girls’ education. Your daughter would be joining a community of accomplished ex-students, many of whom give back to our College through actively mentoring younger graduates.

Aside from a culture of academic excellence, the breadth and success of our Co-curricular Sport and Activities programs truly differentiates Pymble from other schools. If you can dream it, Pymble is most likely delivering it! It’s exciting to see our girls try new things and develop in ways they may never have imagined. From Fencing to Agriculture, AFL to Dance and everything in between; let us take your daughter on a journey of self-discovery.

Pymble is a place of remarkable opportunities. Thank you for taking the time to find out more about us and I look forward to welcoming you to the Pymble family.

 Dr Kate Hadwen

(B.Ed, Grad Cert Ed Leadership, M.Ed, PhD)
PRINCIPAL

Principal

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Dr Kate Hadwen is the ninth Principal of Pymble Ladies’ College and commenced in Semester 2 2019 after a three-year tenure at Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Perth. 

For a period, she worked as a Senior Research Fellow at The Child Health Promotion Research Centre while also working as a Senior Lecturer in Occupational Health and Safety Law at Edith Cowan University. Dr Hadwen was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research in 2011 and remains an Adjunct Research Fellow. She has authored a number of policies and curriculum resources related to technology, wellbeing and anti-bullying.

 Dr Hadwen’s doctorate was on transitioning challenges faced by boarding students and families, and she has since written a handbook along with co-authored book chapters for parents on boarding, international students, cyberbullying and supporting young people transitioning to Middle School. She has an ongoing book contract with Hawker Brownlow Education.

She is currently a Non-Executive Director with the Australian Youth Orchestra, an Honorary Fellow of the Telethon Kids’ Institute and the Child Health Promotion Research Centre and an Ambassador for Australia’s Biggest Mental Health Check-in.

 Dr Hadwen believes in collaborative leadership, is passionate about evidence-based and data-driven personalised education and is a strong advocate for academic excellence. She has always championed student voice and leads with her personal philosophy which centres on the girls’ development and success.