From the Junior School
From our Head of Junior School
This week, our Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 girls explore Vision Valley as they immerse themselves in their Outdoor Education Program. These programs are purposefully designed to foster courage, collaboration, resilience and an appreciation for the wonder in nature and our connection with it.
The OECD Learning Framework 2030, co-created by global government representatives, school leaders, teachers, students, youth groups, parents, universities, local organisations and social partners sets out a vision for the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that young people will need in their future. Our role as educators is to set our girls up for success in their lives and our focus on outdoor play-based learning and the Outdoor Education program are key features in that vision.
I have been reading, Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv and The Power of Play by Pasi Sahlberg and both texts explore and explain the need within society for our children to have the space and time to be immersed in active play-based learning outdoors. Such ‘play’ develops their sense of self and research shows that it builds cognitive skills thereby enabling children to flourish in their academic studies too.
Year 2 Outdoor Education Program at Vision Valley – Mrs Kate Giles, Year Coordinator, Year 2
It was with great excitement that Year 2 braved the rain to get on the bus and headed to Vision Valley for the first time. On the bus, we chatted about what we were most excited about (canoeing!) and some things that we thought might challenge us (bugs and leeches). We arrived at Vision Valley and headed straight to some exciting first activities. The highlights of the day included:
Orienteering – Using our mapping skills we worked together to find the clues to complete our hunt for the symbol ‘treasure’.
Rock art – We collected some coal that we mixed with water and then created some fantastic charcoal painted animals.
Shelter building – Using sticks, leaves and sand, we built a shelter for a little rubber ducky. We had to make sure it would not get wet if it rained and was kept safe.
Canoeing – We challenged ourselves learning to work with our friends to paddle our canoe across the dam. It was tricky going around the dam and especially tricky having to turn the canoe around!
After a picnic lunch we were all very tired but sad to be leaving to go home. On the bus trip home, we talked about how much fun we had and started making plans for Year 3 camp (everyone wants to use that big water slide!). We had so much fun and can’t wait to head back to Vision Valley again to experience more of the fun it has to offer! Here are some recollections of the experience from out students:
My favourite activity was building a shelter using sticks, sand and leaves for a little rubber duck. I liked this because I was able to work with my friends and build something together. – Rachel Zhang
Going to Vision Valley was the most fun EVER! I liked everything we did today, even when I felt nervous, and want to go there again. – Leah Liu
Today at Vision Valley, I got a leech in my sock. I was surprised how it did not hurt like I thought it would and I felt brave – Queenie Sun
Year 1 Outdoor Education Program at Vision Valley – Mrs Michelle Cook, Year Coordinator, Year 1
Year 1 excitedly boarded the bus for our Outdoor Education experience at Vision Valley. For most of the Year 1 cohort, this was their first visit to the Vision Valley campus. During the day, students were encouraged to explore the beautiful natural environment, step outside their comfort zone and challenge themselves.
Our first activity involved a bushwalk around the lake and throughout the surrounding hillside. The highlight of the bushwalk was sitting around an open fire and cooking damper, dipped in honey!
We then formed small groups for an exciting and challenging orienteering activity that saw us utilising our mapping and position skills to locate various hidden signs through the bush.
Our final activity involved us challenging ourselves and using our problem-solving skills to build a shelter for a chick that would withstand wind, rain and predators. The girls even amazed themselves with their clever designs. We can’t wait for our next visit to beautiful Vision Valley.
Kindergarten Outdoor Education Program at Vision Valley – Mrs Catherine Casey, Year Coordinator, Kindergarten
Kindergarten have been amazingly courageous on their first adventure to Vision Valley. They’ve bush walked, orienteering, made ducky shelters, baked damper and begun learning about safe ways to make a fire for cooking. We’re so proud of their explorer mindset; listening carefully to instructions, having a go, being resilient and working together to problem solve.
Year 1 Science Incursion: Get Growing! – Mrs Michelle Cook, Year 1 Co-ordinator
On a crisp, spring Monday morning, Year 1 excitedly headed off around the campus for our Science incursion: Get Growing! As part of our Term 4 Science Unit, we were met by our own Pymble horticulturist Sarah and her talented team, who had arranged an action-packed day of practical experiences to help us learn more about plants and how they grow and change.
We began by watching with amazement, a time lapse video of plants growing as Sarah discussed the important things that a plant needs to survive. We learnt that plants need sunshine, air, water, nutrients, and soil to grow. We marvelled at the process of photosynthesis and how plants can produce their own food! We were surprised to discover how the Australian native bird; the cassowary, survives and where it finds food when the effects of deforestation are a threat to its environment and home. Next, we eagerly ventured down to the Pymble Farm where we were met by Farmer Dave. He showed us how the animals on the farm use plants such as lucerne, hay, grain and seeds for their food. The trees give the animals shelter and shade, and the animals give manure back to the plants to help them grow. We even got to hold some chickens and collect their eggs!
Later, the girls thoroughly enjoyed going on a plant features walk with Alex. We looked at what makes a plant a plant: the roots, stems, branches, leaves, flowers and fruit. We learnt how the wind, water and animals interact with plants to help disperse seeds and create new offspring.
Our final activity saw us carefully scouring the surrounding bush with Travis on a scavenger hunt for a variety of flowers and bugs. We were given leaf and flower shapes from the area to track down. We also learnt what insects or animals would be attracted to a certain flower shape and why. We even got to hunt for bugs, lady beetles, caterpillars, and spiders!
Absolutely blessed with clearing skies and the sounds of happy laughter, Year 1’s adventures were ones that we’ll all remember.
“I learnt that if you cut trees down, animals won’t have food or a home. Humans won’t have air to breathe either.” – Sarayah Wijesuriya
“I discovered that there are three different types of soil and the best soil to grow plants is loamy soil”. – Queenie Qin
“I learnt that plants need sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to make food for themselves”. – Li-Ya Koo
“When plants grow, the water comes through the roots and up to the leaves. The leaves have stomata and that is how they breathe”. – Chloe Yu
Year 4 Science Day
Year 4 participated in a Science Day. There were five different rotations throughout the day. In the 4D classroom, we focused on an erosion and completed two experiments.
The tray of sand represented the land. We used a spray bottle to spray water lightly on the sand; this represented the rain. The sand absorbed all the water. We then used a watering can to represent heavy rain brought on by cyclones. The area where the water landed was washed away by the water, causing the sand to erode.
In the second experiment, we used two cups, a sugar cube, sand and water. In one cup we poured water and in the other cup there was no water. We had to shake both for two minutes and observe how the sugar cube had eroded. The cup containing the water had eroded far more than the sand.
Throughout the day I learnt so many things through hands on activities such as learning about the rock cycle by heating starburst lollies and by making a fossil in the play dough. I hope we have another day like this again.
Written by Alice Hockley (Year 4)
Skills for Success – Year 6
The Skills for Success program commenced in Term 3 for our Year 6 students and will continue this term. During the Skills for Success sessions the girls are learning about diary mapping, creating checklists as well as time and task management. Across this term, the girls will also be participating in a fortnightly study period where our Year 6 Compass Teachers will guide and support students in the areas of Maths, English and Inquiry. There will also be explicit skills sessions on how to summarise and create study notes and how to manage learning tasks. Skills for Success sessions are part of our transition program for our girls in preparation for Year 7.
Being Bold and Demonstrating Courage
Our Year 5 students have also shown courage in nominating themselves for leadership positions in 2023. I am so proud of the girls who have stepped into the arena to have a go at being considered for leadership. This is a brave move and each of the girls who have chosen to immerse themselves in the process, show leadership just by this action and I am very proud of them.
Our Year 6 girls once again show their courage and leadership qualities as they finalise the preparations for their musical performances next week. The girls (and teachers) are working hard to put the finishing touches to the show and they are balancing this with their many other academic and co-curricular commitments. This tenacity and organisation shows how far they have grown through their Junior School days and how ready they are for the next exciting step into Year 7 in 2023.
Matilda the Musical
Pymble Ladies’ College will soon be filled by the smell of rebellion, when Year 6 2022 presents Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR. Based on the beloved book and adapted from the award-winning full-length musical, Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR. tells the story of an extraordinary little girl who dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.
Despite Matilda’s astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers, her disinterested parents find her to be a nuisance and a bore. When Matilda enters her first term at school, she captures the attention of Miss Honey, a shy but kind teacher, and the two form a wonderful friendship. Unfortunately, the school is ruled by a mean and tempestuous headmistress named Miss Trunchbull, who hates children and delivers cruel and unjust punishments to all her charges. Matilda is determined to change her story, but will her cleverness and courage be enough to withstand the reign of the Trunchbull?
Join Year 6 2022 on Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 October, as each class brings their section of the story to life in an all inclusive production. Tickets on sale now! Click here to purchase.
Our girls will truly prove Matilda’s words that “even if you’re little, you can do a lot”.
Junior School Parent Group Annual General Meeting – Diversity as the path to unity in our Junior School
We look forward to our JSPG AGM on 3 November 2022. Mrs Nerissa Davey, Deputy Head of Junior School Operations will be talking at this meeting along with two of our Year 6 leaders for Semester 2 and two girls; Clara Mudaliar and Amara Ahmed. These girls have all led initiatives in our Junior School to promote diversity and inclusion and to ensure all our girls’ voices are heard.
Please click here to download the meeting agenda.
It’s important to me, and to the success of our Junior School that you are all involved as much as you want to be or can be (as I appreciate how busy you are), and that your voices are heard. Please therefore reach out to our Community Engagement team at: events@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au or to me directly at kbrown@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au if you are interested in getting involved in our JSPG in any way next year.
Archie’s Café
We are excited to announce that the new cafe Archie’s will open next week on Tuesday 25 October. Students in Years 5 and 6 will be able to purchase recess from Archie’s on Tuesday – an exclusive time just for them on opening day!
After Tuesday, Years 5 and 6 will have access to Archie’s during lunch time also. We are encouraging use of student ID cards to pay for purchases as cash will not be accepted. Money will need to be loaded onto your daughter’s student card via Flexischools – see information on how to do this below.
Archie’s Café hours are 7.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
Set up account and ordering information
https://flexischools.com.au/parents
Linking a student card including nominating a daily spend limit
https://flexischools.zendesk.com/hc/en-au/articles/8621993621017-How-do-I-link-a-student-card-
Setting up daily spend limit
https://flexischools.zendesk.com/hc/en-au/articles/8623805100441-How-do-I-add-a-daily-spend-limit-
Archie’s Cafe Menu
https://d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net/uploads/sites/65/2022/10/0179_001.pdf
Being on time for school
As we head towards the end of the year and we’re all feeling tired, or perhaps we’re out walking for a kinder world, it’s still important to remember that all our girls need to be at school by 8.00am. This allows them time to settle into the day with their friends and be ready for their academic learning to begin at 8.15am. If you arrive even 15 minutes late each day your daughter misses 48 hours of academic learning which is almost 7 days of academic opportunities over a year! There is no adult supervision on carline from 8.17am.
Celebrations of Learning K-2
Term 4 will end for K-2 students after their Celebration of Learning on Thursday 1 December. K-2 girls are not required to attend school on Friday 2 December. Should your K-2 daughter need supervision at school on Friday 2 December, please complete the form by clicking here.
Walk for a Kinder World – Mrs Kimberley Tyson, Deputy Head of Junior School Students
Our mission to walk kindness to the Moon has well and truly started. The girls received their booklets at the end of last week, and I have already heard a buzz about how many kilometres they have achieved. As we would like to encourage all our Junior School members to participate, we have several incentives running throughout the initiative. These include prizes for the House, grade, staff member and family that contributes the most significant number of kilometres for kindness. We ask that the kilometres walked each week by your daughter can please be recorded in her journal and returned to school each Thursday. This enables us to celebrate our community total in assembly each Friday. I will send a link in the final week for you to enter the total kilometres achieved by your family.
Here is a link for K-3 and for 4-6 to our Walk for a Kinder World Junior School padlet in which you can upload photos of your daughters and your family out walking, skipping, playing and getting active for kindness. We can’t wait to have a collage of incredible images that shows our girl contributing to this wonderful initiative.
Thank you to all our families who have already made donations to the flyhighbillie Foundation. Through your support we have been able to send kinder day cards and Hope journals to disadvantaged school children around Australia. Please click here if you wish to fundraise for the flyhighbillie Foundation.
Our Week in Learning
Junior School Digital News
News from Out of School Hours Care (OSHC)
As we welcomed everyone back to Before School Care and After School Care last week, we loved hearing about everyone’s fantastic holidays. Some of the girls even brought back fridge magnets for our OSCH holiday destinations magnet collection, including one from Mrs Shaw’s holiday!
To read about our fun holiday program, please click the following links:
For more information on how to book a place, please click here or contact us via email at oshcadmin@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au
Reminders from the Administration Office
AFTERNOON TRAVEL CHANGES
Please email juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au to advise any changes to afternoon travel arrangements. Late changes should be made prior to 2.00pm to ensure messages are received by staff and students prior to the girls end of formal day routines.
LOST PROPERTY
All items of uniform should be named including summer hat, play hat, uniforms, shoes, sneakers, socks, lunch box and drink bottle. Lost items can be readily returned if it they are labelled.
Winter should have your daughter’s name written in white pen inside the crown of the hat. If there is a circular label inside the hat, don’t use this as it is inclined to come loose.
Please be aware that unnamed items will only be held at each Junior School Administration Office for two weeks.
Dates for your Diary
Term 4
20 October Kindergarten Outdoor Education Program
21 October Year 2 Author Visit
25 October Year 6 Musical Performance, 7.00pm
26 October Year 6 Musical Performance, 7.00pm
27 October Year 6 Wellbeing Day
28 October Links Day
3 November JSPG Term 4 AGM
10 November Year 5 Mind, Body Spirit Day
11 November Walk for a Kinder World final day and celebration
15 November Jacaranda Day
17 November Junior School Swimming Carnival
22 November Year 6 final Chapel and celebration of learning 8.45am to 11.00am
24 November Year 6 Disco
1 December Kindergarten Celebration of Learning 9.00am, term ends for Kindergarten children
1 December Years 1 and 2 Celebration of Learning 11.00am, term ends for Year 1 and 2 children
2 December Years 3 to 6 Speech Day, 1.30pm
Mrs Kate Brown