From the Principal
Hello from all of us here at Pymble.
As we approach the end of the 2025 school year – our designated Year of Respect – we wanted to let you know about new academic courses we are introducing in 2026. Fittingly, 2026 will be our designated Year of Courage, with Courage defined by our community as being open to new experiences to learn and grow. New academic opportunities to learn and grow at Pymble in 2026 include:
Three new Cambridge (IGCSE) courses
Following our successful application to becoming a Cambridge International School in 2024, we introduced Year 10 IGCSE Mathematics at the start of this year, which has been a fantastic success. In addition to continuing to offer this course in 2026, we are growing our IGCSE portfolio with the introduction of a two-year Cambridge Global Perspectives course commencing in Year 9 2026. We are delighted to have enough take-up to fill two classes of this humanities-based elective, which explores topics including: Change in Culture and Communities; Development, Trade and Aid; Political Power and Action; Values and Beliefs; Social Identity and Inclusion; and Globalisation.
In the Junior School, we are launching the inaugural Years 5 and 6 DREAM Diploma, which incorporates the Cambridge Global Perspectives curriculum for Primary School students. The two-year course is designed to equip our girls with essential skills to carry into their Secondary School years – and beyond – with a focus on analysis, collaboration, research, communication, evaluation and reflection.
New Biotechnology Centre for Curriculum Redesign course
The College has also been working closely with the Centre for Curriculum Redesign in Boston to introduce our inaugural Year 9 Biotechnology course in 2026. Student interest in this new Science elective has already exceeded our expectations, filling three classes! Our girls are excited to pioneer learning in this thriving field.
Why these new courses?
A great deal of research and strategy sits behind these decisions. IGCSE courses are globally recognised (and highly respected) high school qualifications, which broaden our already diverse curriculum offering, which includes a remarkable 51 courses of study in Year 11 and 12. All of these new courses are designed to equip our students with the emerging skills required to thrive and achieve success in our rapidly changing world.
Attracting and retaining the best educators
Of course, a school can have the strongest academic offering and most dedicated students in the world, but without the right team of skilled, engaging educators to deliver the programs the magic doesn’t happen.
Professional learning for our staff is a priority at Pymble, and each year we offer a vast array of external, internal and international courses, seminars, workshops and conferences for staff to attend and present at. This is in addition to a schedule of all-staff professional development days, professional learning grants, leadership development and mentoring, and the opportunity to participate in research with colleagues, students and external university partners.
The College also offers post-graduate support for teachers, and the number of staff with doctorates and master’s degrees at Pymble continues to grow each year. In the first half of 2025 alone, we celebrated four staff members who now proudly carry the title of Dr.
Since 2022, we have hosted seven ‘Think Pymble’ events, locally, here on campus, and in London and Dublin to attract a diverse range of highly experienced staff from all around the world, representing all different cultures, beliefs and backgrounds. To retain our exceptional teachers and professional services staff, we offer a host of benefits, including competitive salaries and leave entitlements, health and wellbeing resources, flexible work arrangements and support for parents and new families, along with planning time, leadership allowances and teachers’ aides where required.
This investment in our staff is an investment in our girls and their future.
Signing off with this video showcasing just a few of the wonderfully diverse staff members who would love to meet you and support your daughter’s learning journey at Pymble. Enjoy!
