New Pymble-Tagai partnership inspires First Nations students to stay in school

Pymble Ladies’ College announces an innovative “Come to School” initiative with Tagai State College in the Torres Strait, designed to inspire First Nations students through improved attendance, attitude, achievement and aspiration.

Thirty Year 5 and 6 girls and boys from Tagai State College and their mothers or carers will visit Sydney for a week-long educational experience hosted by Pymble Ladies’ College from 28 September to 5 October 2025. Participants qualify by demonstrating personal growth in attendance, and achievement, attitude and aspiration across two terms.

“Full school attendance provides students with a solid foundation for future success and opens doors to wonderful opportunities that broaden the perspectives of all involved,” said Dr Kate Hadwen, Principal of Pymble Ladies’ College.

Jeff Jones, Executive Principal of Tagai State College, noted significant enthusiasm for the program: “There is genuine interest, and as we communicate it more broadly to our outer island campuses, there will be great excitement and anticipation.”

To launch the initiative, Pymble‘s Head of Social Impact, Julie Shaw, and Indigenous Education Leader, Kate Howie, visited Thursday Island to meet with students and deepen understanding of Tagai State College, which spans 17 satellite campuses across 48,000 square kilometres of the Torres Strait.

This partnership builds on Pymble‘s established commitment to First Nations education. The College was among the first to offer First Nations Scholarships to girls from remote Australia and has partnered with the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation since 2011. Former world No.1 tennis player Evonne Goolagong-Cawley, patron of Pymble‘s First Nations Scholarship Program since 2007, expressed her support: “Pymble‘s history in providing opportunities for young indigenous girls has been tremendous. It’s exciting to hear of this initiative and we look forward to great outcomes.”

For further media information please contact Pymble’s Director of Community Engagement, Courtney Stanley, at cstanley@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au or +61 2 9497 7817.