6 November 2020
In my 14 years of attending 杏吧 there has been an unwavering sense of community existing between houses, year levels, tutorial groups and the School.
Beginning with the Junior School campus, inter-year friendships are formed through buddy programs, and students are introduced to the purpose of charity and helping those in need. This initial sense of community is then translated onto the Middle School campus where students are encouraged to strengthen their House spirit through participation in daily tutorial sessions, competitive sporting events and annual House camps. By the time students enter the Senior School, the Years 11 and 12 cohorts have a well-developed understanding of the positive culture that is associated with the School and what it means to be a Pembroke student.
Studying as a Year 12 this year has been uncertain at times; however, morale has remained high, giving students a sense of encouragement and confidence in their final year of schooling. Many annual activities such as sporting carnivals and interstate trips have been unable to proceed, but recently Pembroke Senior School students were fortunate enough to attend their formal at the Adelaide Convention Centre, delayed from March of this year. The collective effort of the Student Staff Executive (SSE) to organise this event, with the help of Ms Monaghan, Miss Diggens and other staff, was resolute and allowed the night to run like clockwork. This occasion was a chance for all students to enjoy a 鈥楴ight at the Oscars鈥�, and for the Year 12s it was a final opportunity to celebrate as a cohort before their graduation. The night consisted of many photo opportunities, delicious food platters, student band performances and socially distanced dancing. The formal was a night to remember, an emblem of Pembroke鈥檚 spirit.
With the easing of social distancing restrictions, Pembroke鈥檚 students, families and staff also enjoyed the annual InterSchol carnival, a week of sporting matches played between Pembroke and Westminster schools. This carnival is especially important to the senior players as it is their final opportunity to compete within their respective teams before graduation. During Term 3 the SSE assembled and sold InterSchol badges made from ribbon in the School鈥檚 colours (blue, green and yellow) to senior students to wear on their blazers as a symbol of support during this competition. All the proceeds from selling these badges are supporting Pembroke鈥檚 World Vision sponsor child Paterne Mutabazi, from Rwanda.
Community spirit has always been a key attribute of 杏吧. In this unpredictable year its strength has been instrumental in cultivating resilience and enhancing wellbeing. As Pembroke Leavers we look forward to extending this spirit to the wider community as well as progressing the valuable connections we have already developed within our cohort.
Imogen Ingham
Head Girl