Celebrating Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is a special day for families and mothers all over Australia. It’s a day to pause the busyness of life and appreciate the sleepless nights, the thousands of cut lunches, the endless driving, the juggle of careers and parenting, the planning, the sacrifices, the worry, the care and, most importantly, the love mothers give us every single day.
At Pymble we consider our staff to be family. This week, we are celebrating our Pymble mums, as well as aunts, grandmothers, godmothers, guardians to the very special people in their lives. With a special shout out to our caring staff who make Pymble a home away from home for our wonderful boarders Thank you for all that you do at work and at home.
This week we are proud to introduce you to some of our amazing Pymble family who will share the joy and fulfilment they experience with the very special children in their lives.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Shannon
Meet Shannon, Executive Assistant to Principal and mum to Charlie (22 years), Billy (20 years) and Xavier (18 years)
What is the best thing about being a Mum?
There are so many things I love about being a mum that it’s hard to single out one thing. The boys are disarmingly honest and excellent company, I learn so much from them.
What advice would you give to other maternal figures?
The washing can wait, spend time with them while you can!
What has been your proudest moment as a Mum?
My proudest moments are typically seeing how the boys manage adversity. It’s in these moments I see their grit and values shine.
What do you most enjoy doing with your children?
Having dinner together is very important to our family and with Charlie at uni in Canberra, it’s a real treat when we can be together. Family time with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins are always fun-filled and memorable occasions.
What is one of the positives about being a working Mum at Pymble?
When the boys come to work to visit me, they are always made to feel welcome. As a mum, it’s lovely to see my boys feels so comfortable in my work environment.
Blythe and Sahar
Meet Blythe, Senior Digital Learning Leader and mum to Hope (7 months)
What is the best thing about being a Mum?
Being a mum is such a wonderful gift – to love and nurture a little person and to see her grow and change. I love seeing her little personality shine through, even at such an early age.
What advice would you give to other maternal figures?
Maternal figures can have a special influence on the children in their lives. My Grandmother had a profound impact on me, sharing her love of needlework and her Christian faith, both of which have influenced my choices and the things I value in my life. My Mum has also been a great example, being passionate about her work as a teacher, as well as making it a priority to love and care for her family and friends. I hope as an aunty and a mum I can not only take an interest in what delights my daughter, niece and nephews, but also be an example to them too.
What has been your proudest moment as a Mum?
My proudest moments happen daily, when Hope shares her sweet smiles with others and brightens their day.
What do you most enjoy doing with Hope?
Hope has the most delightful giggle and I love sharing in her joy. She finds everything our Cocker Spaniel does hilarious! She also loves swinging on the swing her daddy put up in a tree in our backyard for her.
What is one of the positives about being a working Mum at Pymble?
Pymble and in particular my manager Anthony. have been so supportive of me on our journey to motherhood. Everyone was so accommodating and supportive when I had to go on leave a bit early. Anthony and the IT team have been great at keeping in touch on a personal level. I have also really valued the ‘keeping in touch’ days, which will make my return to work much easier.
Introducing Sahar, Database Administrator and mum to Afra (9 years) and Denna (11 months)
What is the best thing about being a Mum?
The best part about being a mom for me is the love and joy I feel for them.
What advice would you give to other maternal figures?
Enjoy every moment in your child/ren’s life, even their crying moments!
What has been your proudest moment as a Mum?
My proudest moment as a mum is when seeing how happy and content they are.
What do you most enjoy doing with your children?
Almost every moment but the best joyful time for me is when we sing a song together while I’m driving.
What is one of the positives about being a working Mum at Pymble?
Getting the kindness and supports from my managers and colleagues is one of the most positive points of being the mother of two girls in such a wonderful college like Pymble.
Lamia
Deputy Principal and aunt to Jacinta (27 years), Briana and Natalina (15 years), Naomi (11 years), Lily (9 years), Alani (8 years) and Joey (5 years)
What is the best thing about being an aunt?
There are many things that make being an aunt important and heart-warming. The hugs and kisses of all my beautiful nieces and nephew, when I arrive somewhere are always special moments. The fun but impractical toys and the trips to places their parents might not necessarily take them to. The support I can offer to them during tough times also gives me a strong purpose in my life and provides continuing support for my sister and brother in the challenging role of parenting. I can also help my nieces and nephew see the bigger world out there, as I have greater freedom than their parents to travel and explore. They are sometimes part of these trips in real time or through the magic of Facetime.
What advice would you give to other maternal figures?
To use the support networks available to them and to know that Aunties and extended family will be always there for them if they build these networks as their children grow.
What has been your proudest moment as an aunt?
Sharing in each of their successes along the journey of growing up from getting a medal for cross country running to getting married and waiting for the birth of my first grandnephew.
What do you most enjoy doing with your nieces and nephew?
Taking them out to dinner and having them for sleepovers. Cooking with them and watching any play, musical performance or sporting event they might be part of. If time permits, I will always be there ready to give a hug, no matter what the result is. Spending time with them at the beach is another favourite of theirs and mine. As a mathematics teacher by trade, I also love helping with their mathematics studies!
What is one of the positives about being a working mother figure at Pymble?
We are blessed to be in a supportive and caring environment that offers flexibility to all our staff regarding their personal circumstances.
Jill, Justina and Siobhan
Meet Jill, Justina and Siobhan who are all soon to begin parental leave. Jill and Justina are mums to daughters Mia and Sophie while Siobhan is soon to be a first-time mum. We asked all three about the positives of working at Pymble as expectant mothers.
Jill, Talent Acquisition Specialist and mum to Mia (4 years)
Justina, K-6 Classroom Teacher and mum to Sophie (2 years)
Siobhan, Digital Learning Leader and mum-to-be
What is the best thing about being a mum and a soon to be mum?
Jill
It challenges me in a way that I never thought I could be challenged before, and it makes me think about things differently. I’ve definitely become more positive and optimistic since having Mia. Her smile, laugh and beautiful way of seeing the world helps me no matter the situation and allows me to reframe my thoughts. She also makes me laugh every single day, and I wish I could capture all of the unique ‘Mia-ness’ so I can re-live some of her amazing moments, catch phrases and style from every stage she has reached. I have over 16,000 photos and videos on my phone alone, so I’m trying but I still miss so many amazing moments and I hope to remember them forever.
Justina
The best thing about being a Mum is to be able to witness the wonder and fascination with everything in the world through Sophie’s eyes. It makes me realise how much I take for granted and all the little things that you miss.
Siobhan
Feeling the love and excitement friends and family already have for our little bundle of joy. Our baby is already so loved before they’ve even arrived.
What advice would you give to other maternal figures?
Jill
To relax and enjoy every moment. I didn’t believe it when I was pregnant with Mia and people told me that time flew but truly it’s like someone has hit the fast forward button on the life-remote and now I have a 4-year-old and about to have another baby. It seems silly to say to enjoy every moment, but even the hard times when I reflect now, I can see the positivity that being a Mum brings to assist through those periods and give me grounding and context. I’d also say to other maternal figures to not put too much pressure on yourselves or your children, and to trust your own instincts.
Justina
Don’t sweat the small stuff, just let it go. Your love for your child is enough. Sometimes it can be hard to juggle work and home life, no one is perfect, there is no perfect way to raise a child. Just love them unconditionally and it will always be good enough.
Siobhan
Embrace the kindness and support of those around you.
What has been your proudest moment as a Mum?
Jill
It’s not a lie when I say I have at so many moments each day where I can say I’m proud – todays was that Mia wrote her full name (Amelia) for the first time. I was filled to the brim with pride! Other times have been surrounding just how resilient she has been. From being born early, with lots of tests in her first few weeks, she handled everything like a pro and has come leaps and bounds with her milestones – including walking at 9 months (which mummy and daddy were not prepared for!) More recently, with how excited she is to become a big sister, I am proud every time she talks about ‘her baby’ and tells me how she is going to be such a big help to us!
Justina
When Sophie shows care and empathy towards others.
What do you most enjoy doing with your children?
Jill
I love singing and dancing with her, and seeing her face light up when we have a new experience (like heading to the Easter Show and hand feeding the farm animals or going swimming and bike riding). I cherish our bedtime routine together where we read a story and settle in for the night. I love that she shares so many of our families’ passions!
Justina
Reading with Sophie, being outdoors and exploring nature.
Siobhan, What do you most enjoy doing in the lead up to becoming a mum?
It’s always so exciting to go to appointments and hear the little heartbeat and see the baby moving on the ultrasound. Sometimes it feels so surreal thinking there is a baby in there, so it’s always so lovely to have a little glimpse into their early life.
What is one of the positives about being a working mum at Pymble?
Jill
There are so many, but one of the biggest positives is the never-ending support of my team and my manager Kate for this pregnancy which has been more challenging than the first. They constantly remind me to put myself and my health first and have been the first to provide understanding, flexibility and support so I can attend additional appointments and work remotely. I also received amazing love and support with my first pregnancy at the College and never felt that I had to choose between my baby and my career. The College is family-friendly and supportive in so many ways, I think it’s hard to capture everything they do, as so much is personalised to an individual’s needs, but I know if I’m ever in need, all I need to do is speak to my team and my manager and see what is possible.
Justina
One of the positives about being a working Mum at Pymble is the unconditional support I receive from my colleagues. They always step in to cover for me when I get a call from day care, no questions asked! When I had a fall whilst pregnant, healthcare was down in a second to see me and my colleagues, principal and deputy – put my health first and covered my class. They understand what it’s like to have young children and have always had my back no matter what!
Siobhan
Pymble has been incredibly supportive in my journey as a mum-to-be. I feel so fortunate to be surrounded by such supportive colleagues and to be a member of the Pymble team. The school has been flexible in terms of working arrangements with opportunities to work from home if required, and flexibility with me attending appointments. The culture amongst the staff is really positive and supportive. Everyone has been so caring and are always offering to support in any way they can, whether it is to cover a playground duty on a really hot day or to share in my excitement. I am so appreciative of Pymble and my colleagues for supporting me with a positive start to motherhood.
Karen
Head of Early Learning, mum and grandmother to Max (7 years), Molly (5 years), Huxley (2 years) and Holly (4 months)
What is the best thing about being a grandmother?
Grandmothers get to watch the personalities of unique little people develop. This is exceptionally special in a way that is different from when you are observing your own children growing up. Perhaps this is because you also get to witness your children as parents, and aunties and uncles. Through these relationships you see many similarities in personalities and expressions.
What advice would you give to other maternal figures?
Take each day as it comes because each one will be different and be ready to lend kindness and strength when needed.
What has been your proudest moment as a mum or grandmother?
Knowing that my children are always there for each other when times get tough. Oddly, I also love watching them with their nieces and nephews and the looks of mischief that are sometimes exchanged.
What do you most enjoy doing with your grandchildren?
If honest, I mostly love just watching them play together; climbing trees, chasing grandpa with a water gun, riding bikes or patting baby Holly. I also love picking them up from school or ELC and that first look of recognition when they see you there.
What is one of the positives about being a working grandmother at Pymble?
I love that I can do afternoon pick-ups for Max and Molly, who attend a local school, when their mum has a meeting. I also appreciate that when needed, I have been able to adjust my day so I could take Huxley to his ELC and return in time to pick him up. Attending Grandparents Days and events like Cross Country is hugely important to me as a working grandparent, and this is something I have been able to achieve while working at Pymble. Something I am really looking forward to, is providing the same on campus flexibility for our Pymble families and staff when we open our Early Learning Centre.
Katie
Deputy Head of Boarding and mum to Archie (7years) and Georgie (5 years)
What is the best thing about being a mum?
Watching Archie and Georgie grow, develop and evolve into kind, caring people. I love their curiosity and the way they constantly strive to learn new things.
What advice would you give to other maternal figures?
Go with the flow, take time for yourself and breathe. Get out and enjoy the big, wide world with your kids. They will fit into your life, not the other way around.
What has been your proudest moment as a Mum?
I take great pride in my kids’ perseverance. Seeing them achieve the things they weren’t certain they could do is absolutely the best. I’m also incredibly proud when they use their manners and are complimented by people outside of the family on their behaviour.
What do you most enjoy doing with your children?
Exploring the world. I love taking them on holidays to new places and encouraging them to try new things. I’m also making the most of all the hugs while they still want them!
What is one of the positives about being a working Mum at Pymble?
I feel well supported at Pymble since my motherhood journey began. Obviously, we’ve been living on campus for the last couple of years which presents a unique set of challenges, but the kids love it. The boarding team know my kids and are always keen to see them, so they feel really at home and safe on campus. Archie especially has a lovely relationship with the security and facilities team.
What is it like being a mother-figure to our Boarders?
It is a true honour to be such an important part of these girls’ lives. As a mother, I know how hard it must be to make the tough decision to send a child away to boarding school, but when the girls are here, we do our best to provide them with the support and nurturing that they need. Just like my own kids, I really enjoy seeing our Boarders grow, develop and evolve into kind, caring global citizens. I feel richer for knowing these girls and their families.
How do you juggle raising your own children and caring for our Boarders?
This is perhaps one of the greatest challenges of my role. I’ve worked really hard to establish boundaries and to dedicate time to my family; time where I can be present with Georgie, Archie and my husband, Aaron 100% authentically. I’ve also become a lot better at asking for help! I’m lucky to have my own parents living very close by as my mother-in-law is on the Northern Beaches. We’re a very close family.
How has being a ‘Boarding Mum’ positively impacted your parenting/family life?
It’s taught me not to sweat the small stuff and to be thankful for the time I have with my kids.
