Boarding Update

Winter in Boarding is a whirlwind of energy and excitement! 

With Netball, Rugby, and Hockey fixtures filling the calendar, the weeks seem to fly by in a blur of muddy boots, cheering crowds, and unforgettable moments. Term 3 always carries a special intensity—especially for our Year 12 students, who are racing toward their Trial HSC Examinations and preparing for heartfelt farewells.

One of the highlights this term has been our Friday night visits to the TAS and Visual Arts Department’s Showcase exhibitions. These evenings are a firm favourite among Boarders, as families travel in to celebrate the incredible practical work their children have created. It’s a beautiful chance to reconnect—watching sport, admiring student projects, and enjoying quality time together in the heart of Orange.

Sport continues to be a cornerstone of Boarding life. 

The season has brought plenty of muddy returns to the Houses, with both girls and boys arriving chilled but exhilarated. Thankfully, our wonderful House Mums are always ready with warm welcomes and delicious meals that satisfy even the hungriest of appetites.

We’ve refreshed our “Town Leave” outings recently, adding some exciting trips to Bathurst. Exploring new thrift stores, bookshops, and food spots has added a spark of adventure to the routine, giving students a chance to discover something new and enjoy a change of pace.

Following the completion of HSC Trial examinations for Year 12, there is a wonderful sense of anticipation in the air as we approach one of the most cherished traditions in Boarding—our annual House Dinners! 

New and Miller House will kick off the celebrations on 29 August, and the excitement is already building across PLC and Wolaroi. These dinners are more than just a meal—they’re a heartfelt tribute to our Year 12 students. We gather to honour their journey, share memories, and enjoy one last festive evening together before they step into their next chapter. 

PLC Tennis Court Restorations Underway

In decades past the girls of the PLC enjoyed playing tennis on the sun soaked courts nestled between the trees at the bottom of their beautiful campus, before hopping in the pool nearby to cool off. In more recent years, however, the courts have laid fallow rendering the natural clay and grass surfaces unplayable. 

Last Sunday marked the beginning of a student restoration project to return the courts to their former glory. Dr and Mrs Parry were on hand to turn the first sods in the weeks long project; both acquitting themselves well with shovels in hand. Many girls answered the call for volunteers and happily got to work pulling up the old broken lining tape and stripping the surface of weeds to reveal the orange clay below. With music pumping and the warm winter sun beating down, one shovel scoop at a time, the onerous but ultimately rewarding work started to show progress. When two freshly baked cakes arrived, courtesy of Mr Bunting's wife and daughters, tools were downed and the satisfied work crew called it a day. 

The first phase of restoration will consist of clearing the surfaces of weeds and organic matter. Then the clay courts will be freshened up with new sand and clay, while the grass court will be top-dressed and seeded. Finally, the courts will be rolled and lined for play before the nets are hoisted and the first rubbers played. 

If you would like to get involved in the restoration project, please contact Mrs Hannah Whittemore or Mr James Bunting.