Former Pymble boarders return for Centenary Sleepover

Monday 18 July, 2016

An unforgettable weekend recalling old memories – and making new ones – was had when several of our much-loved boarders returned to the College for the Back to Boarding Weekend in celebration of 100 years of Boarding at Pymble.

Boarders from 1950-1989 were welcomed back to Pymble by Principal Mrs Vicki Waters, Boarding Head Prefect Eleanor Kierath and Boarding Deputy Head Prefect Eliza Whiteley (Year 12) before sharing a delicious barbecue lunch in the sun on Marden Lawn which, much to their delight, was no longer “out of bounds”.

After lunch, guests enjoyed a guided tour of the campus conducted by current Boarders, Onyi Nwamadi and Victoria Judson (Year 9). Afternoon tea was hosted in the Heritage Centre by Alumni Relations Manager, Mrs Katrina Corcoran (Hum, 1987) before the evening kicked off with a cocktail party in the David Macfarlane Centre, hosted by Director of Boarding, Mrs Deanne Elliott.

The ladies bunked down in Goodlet House for the night, safe in the knowledge that they could talk until the early hours if they so wished!

“So many memories flooded back as I walked along the corridors and checked out the bedrooms which I shared with girls who are now my lifelong friends,” said Mrs Margaret Walker (Stokes, 1957).

“So much has changed for the better. The houses are warm, welcoming and have a friendly ambience – so important for homesick boarders during their first weeks away from home.”

“The new Braith Williams Aquatic and Fitness Centre was so fabulous it almost took my breath away, especially when I remember diving for the brick in dark, murky water on numerous occasions in the original 1925 Nancy Jobson pool!”

Our Back to Boarding guests attended the Commemoration Day Service in the War Memorial Chapel the next day, followed by the Centenary Luncheon in the Main Hall before driving through those familiar gates one more time and making their way back home.