From the Junior School

From our Head of Junior School

As we draw closer to the end of the year and time to farewell our Year 6 girls, I find myself reflecting more and more on how far they have each grown this year and over their Junior School journeys. Last week I had the pleasure of listening to some of our Year 6 girls deliver their public speaking speeches. Wow! Our girls are impressive in their passion for things that matter to them, their poise in advocating for change and their courage in having a go. I see them now as young women on the cusp of new adventures next year in Year 7 and know they are ready. Butterflies are inevitable as change can be scary and there will be many sentimental moments in the final few weeks, but the girls are ready for the many varied opportunities that lie ahead.

House Spirit and Kindness

It was wonderful to see and hear the House Spirit on the oval on Friday last week as we celebrated our outstanding Walk for a Kinder World. Whilst we haven’t yet reached the moon, we celebrated how far we have travelled with kindness this year and we will continue on our mission. Each small step we take with kindness is a big step for our world. Each day our girls show how they are growing in kindness and impacting others with their kind hearts.

Our Year 6 House Captains shone as they led House Spirit for the Junior School and empowered the incoming Year 6, 2023 future House Captains to co-lead House Cheers with Kindergarten to Year 2 that afternoon. This was a fabulous example of the strong sisterhood and support within our community as our older girls lent their experience and confidence to set up the future leaders for success.

Small acts of Kindness

I was delighted to ‘meet’ a Kindness Cat created by Faye Li (Year 3) this week and even more delighted to hear Faye’s rationale for designing and making this cat. Faye explained that she was so touched by the kindness shown to her by her family whilst she was unwell that she wanted to do something to show kindness to others. Faye’s Kindness Cat now sits in my office and will help to sprinkle kindness to the many girls who come and chat with me throughout a week. Simple acts of kindness hold great power!

Congratulations!

Well done to our Dance Showcase girls in Kindergarten to Year 6 on their performance last week. The girls shone on stage with their confidence and joy of dance. I was lucky enough to watch all the showcases and each showcase was exceptional. We are so proud of the girls and their commitment to their sport. Thank you to you all for all your support for the girls with their rehearsals on weekends in the weeks leading up to these showcases.

Congratulations to all our outstanding musicians in Years 3 to 6. It was glorious to hear the myriad of musical performances this week in the Junior School Ensemble concert and to see the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts full again. Thank you to all of you who were able to come and support the girls in their performances. The girls’ talents are seemingly endless, and I know how hard they have worked together to bring these performances to life.

Year 5 Mind Body Spirit Day – Mrs Clair o’Connor – Year 5 Co-ordinator

Our Year 5 girls enjoyed their Mind, Body, Spirit Day last week and explored a range of different and engaging experiences that aimed to provide them time to breathe and just be. These included visiting the farm where students enjoyed holding the chickens and collecting the eggs, creating artworks from natural materials, engaging in mindful science, in particular exploring Oobleck, journaling and mindful colouring. The focus of the day was for students to consider the types of mindfulness and relaxation which best support their learning and to consider building these routines into their lives. It was a wonderful day where students had the chance to sit with friends and enjoy each other’s company and develop strong friendships.

Year 1 Reflection – Mrs Jayne Mercer – Lead Co-ordinator Years 1-3

As we fast approach the end of the year it has been lovely to take the time to look back at 2022 and reflect on how amazing the last year has been for our Year 1 girls. It’s been a year of growth in so many different areas. The girls have embraced their love of learning and their curiosity is inspiring. When you’re spending time with young children you can’t help but be in awe of how much they want to learn about the world around them. Watching their excitement whilst growing their grassy heads in Science this term reminds us as adults to appreciate the beauty in the little things in life each day.

Handing out kindness awards each week in assembly to girls that have chosen to care for their friends and our school environment is such a pleasure. Some of my favourite things to do with Year 1 have been to spend time sharing picture books during Literacy lessons and listening to their news when they share what they have been up to on the weekend or during the holidays. Year 1 girls at Pymble know how to make the most of what Pymble has to offer and I can’t wait to see them embrace Year 2 in 2023.

Library – last day for borrowing

Please note that the final day for borrowing is this Friday 18 November. All books are due back by Friday 25 November. Please contact Mrs Laretive if you have a concern about book loans.

Thank you for your support.

Jacaranda Day – Tuesday 15 November

Thank you to all our families for your wonderful donations supporting the Children’s Hospital and Exodus Foundation.

Kindergarten to Year 2 may still donate up until end of this term if they would like to with a gift voucher or gift for a child, unwrapped, and placed in a gift bag for the Sydney Children’s Hospital. Please note that gifts should be new items/toys not pre-loved. Thank you to our K-2 families who have donated so far, we have collected $1,820 in vouchers and a lovely selection of gifts to be given to the Children’s Hospital and who will appreciate the kindness of our Junior School community.

Parent Focus Groups: The College’s Early Years School

As the College moves closer to the introduction of an early learning centre for both girls and boys, we welcome thoughts and feedback from our parents. Capturing what is important to our Pymble family creates an opportunity to ensure our directions reflect the requirements of our current and future community.

We wish to invite parents to join a conversation about the philosophy, structure and opportunities we are planning for the children. If your family has recently had a child in an early learning service or have specific needs for the future, your feedback and reflections would be greatly welcomed.

Parent focus groups will be held at the following times:

Tuesday 29 November 8:30am to 9:30 am

Wednesday 30 November 2:00pm to 3:00 pm

Please indicate your interest in attending by registering here.

Should you be unable to attend but wish to understand more about the Early Years planning please email Mrs Karen Ahearn, Head of Early Years, at kahearn@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au who will contact you directly.

PE Uniform

As the weather is getting warmer, please make sure when your daughter is wearing her sport uniform that she wears her shorts underneath her tracksuit pants. This will allow her to take off her tracksuit pants if she is feeling hot on these sunny days.

Celebrations of Learning – Kindergarten to Year 2

Term 4 will end for Kindergarten to Year 2 students after their Celebration of Learning on Thursday 1 December. Kindergarten to Year 2 girls are not required to attend school on Friday 2 December. Should your daughter in Kindergarten to Year 2 need supervision at school on Friday 2 December, please complete the form by clicking here.

Booklists 2023 – Kindergarten to Year 6

As per the Portal notice, your daughter’s 2023 booklist is now available to order through Campion. Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students will have their stationery kits delivered to the College during the holiday period ready for their first day of school. Years 3 to 6 will have their orders delivered to their home.

To gain direct access to Pymble’s textbook lists click here. You will need to select the booklist for the grade your daughter is in next year (2023) and type in code 2677.

Your daughter will need the items found listed under “additional stationery”. If you have these items already, please retain for 2023. If you do not have these items, please purchase them.

Please order before Friday 18 November to ensure delivery before Term 1 2023 commences. Please contact Campion on 02 8905 8691 or via email at campionsydney@campion.com.au for any order enquiries.

Junior School Digital News – Term 4 Week 3

Our Week in Learning Photos

From Out of School Hours Care (OSHC)

Bookings are now open for the school holiday programs in December and January. All bookings can be made through KidSoft.

For more information on how to book a place, please click here or contact us via email at oshcadmin@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au

From the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG)

Thank you so much for all your help with our Swimming Carnival today. So many parents and carers helped volunteer at our JSPG stall and donated food which was greatly appreciated. Another fantastic response from our Junior School community. We appreciate all your hard work!

Year 6 Commemorative Jerseys (for Year 5 parents)

Year 5 parents, please order your daughter her jersey for next year by clicking here.

A team of parents has custom-fitted the Year 5 girls with their sizes and they have been recorded in their diaries (details provided via the Year 5 parents WhatsApp group).

Please place your oder by tomorrow, Friday 18 November, to ensure your daughter does not miss out!

Year 6 Parent Cocktail Party

Please order your tickets for the Year 6 Cocktail Party by clicking here.

This will be an amazing cocktail event for parents on the evening of Thursday 24 November on our beautiful Marden Lawn to celebrate the send-off of our girls from the Junior School. This event is being held whilst the girls are at their silent disco. To finalise catering, could you please purchase your tickets by tomorrow Friday 18 November.

Year Events

Please see the invitations attached for Kindergarten and Year 4 end of year events. For any queries, please contact us at pymblelcjspg@gmail.com

Elizabeth Toh, Aimee Birch, Stephanie Pickford and Kai Jones

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

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

1 December. Years 4 to 6 Speech Day rehearsals

2 December Years 3 to 6 Speech Day, 1.30pm