From the Senior School
“Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are.” – Harold S. Kushner
As we head into the middle of the term, it is useful to remember the almost magical effect of kindness and how this can change other people’s days and our own. There has been much written about random acts of kindness and I think we are all aware of the philosophy behind this movement – to carry out small or large acts of kindness as a matter of our daily practice. There are many ideas on the website https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/ about how to encourage this. I would also like the girls to consider more deliberate, thoughtful acts of kindness that might require a longer-term commitment or consideration. I have included Kushner’s quotation as a starting point to consider how kindness and compassion reflects so much of ourselves and builds a strong community.
All of us have experienced the appreciation of an unexpected offer of help, a warm word of understanding or a friendly and genuine smile! There is no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.
The ‘ripple effects’ of kindness are felt every day in the Senior School and around the College. As individuals, we can make another person’s day, but as a community, we can make a mighty difference, both for each other and ourselves.
Athletics Carnival
On Monday, the Athletics Carnival will provide more opportunities for the girls to have go in the events, connect with the wider school community and show their House spirt at their final Athletics Carnival. We are looking forward to seeing the creative and colourful House dress ups that Year 12 girls are renowned for.
Review of Student Leadership
As part of our ongoing review of student leadership at Pymble, we are currently seeking feedback from students in Years 11 and 12 regarding our processes and structure.
Your child will be invited to participate in a survey and class discussions in their Compass sessions over the coming weeks. This is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to share their thoughts and have their voice heard.
Our guiding principles around student leadership encompass the philosophy of service to our community. We aim to provide diverse opportunities across a range of areas to allow for the development of authentic leadership styles.
Wrap With Love
Term 2 also marks the beginning of another major Senior School service project – Wrap with Love. Senior School staff and girls (and their families) are working hard to knit woollen squares which will be sewn into blankets. These blankets are provided to those in need both in Australia and overseas. If you are able to contribute, you will need: 8 ply wool (any type) 4.00 needles (size 8). The pattern is a square of 50 rows by 50 stitches.
From the Heads of Year 11
Mrs Andrea Pryor and Mrs Theresa Mimmo
After the excitement of the Year 11 Formal, the students have poured over their photographs and accessed the photographic website with enthusiasm. We were so lucky to have held the formal before further COVID-19 restrictions were enforced. Imagine patrolling the dance floor at a Pymble event with only 20 people allowed to participate!
The students have settled back into their academic routine and are now focused on their assessment schedule and course work. In Directions classes, the students have been looking at increasing their resilience through developing a growth mindset. Through the VIA survey, student strengths were identified and areas of improvement. Students labelled their strengths as their superpowers. Recognition of where the students could do better in terms of their character strengths aligns with Carol Dweck’s theory of a growth mindset. If the students can see challenges from a growth mindset perspective, then their engagement and performance in their subjects could be enhanced. Reflection and feedback are all important elements of developing a growth mindset and the Directions classes are fostering this approach so that the students can see the relevance of it in their day-to-day classes.
This week we would also like to promote the drama production The Importance of Being Earnest. There are a number of Year 11 students in this performance, and they have been working very hard in rehearsals. The show begins on Thursday 20 May and finishes on Saturday 22 May.
From the Heads of Year 12
Mrs Tor Harrison and Mrs Gina VEntura
As a follow up to the career presentations on navigating UAC and applications, in their Directions classes students will be exploring a range of mental fitness skills and strategies they can use to help boost optimism, gratitude, flow and resilience. By connecting with their known strengths, the students will build on their future planning and how they can better apply study skills such as the Pomodoro Method to achieving flow and their goals. In their Directions lessons the students will investigate the resources on the Blackdog Institute’s Biteback website to learn tips to build their strengths, https://www.biteback.org.au/Learn.
In Week 6, Year 12 students will participate in a workshop with Your Choicez Media on respectful relationships. Follow up discussion and activities will be completed in their Directions groups after this activity. Other Directions sessions this term will focus on the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle in Year 12, specifically in terms of exercising, eating and sleeping well.
It is important for the girls to maintain a healthy balance between their academic program and their co-curricular interests. Participating in a team sport, club or a creative activity are all great ways to achieve a sense of flow and balance. For girls interested in a free Stress Buster exercise session, these are being run by Mr Jack Pennington in the Fitness Centre each Wednesday afternoon from 3.40pm to 4.20pm. This is a great way for your daughter to power up for her afternoon study or activities.
From the Geography Department
Mr Liam Hume
Year 12 Geographers overnight excursion to the Hunter Valley and Hunter Estuary Wetlands.
Travelling up to Pokolbin on Thursday 29 April, the students visited Tamburlaine Organic Wines for a guided tour to learn about the economic enterprise as their HSC People and Economic Activity local case study. Students learned about the site and location, environmental constraints affecting the vineyard, as well as the sustainable and organic practices implemented at Tamburlaine. In the afternoon, students were given a guided tour around Cessnock by the Hunter Valley Visitor Centre where the focus was on urban renewal after the decline of coal mining industry. This is part of the Urban Dynamics section of the HSC Course.
On Friday, we travelled to Hunter Estuary Wetlands at Kooragang Island. Using a range of primary fieldwork methodologies, students collected data from three sites within the wetlands. Students were able to observe the biophysical interactions occurring within the wetlands that enable it to function as well as evaluate the traditional and contemporary management strategies in place.
From the Head of Extended Learning
Mrs Jenny Olsen
The camp is offered to Year 12 only to provide a structured and quiet study program in a distraction-free environment. Students will have access to experienced academic staff who will be able to assist with marking, problem solving, understanding the questions or content. In addition, we will be offering dedicated rooms with exam like conditions to allow students to complete practice exams. The week is fully catered for, with morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea provided.
Date: Monday 21 June to Friday 25 June
Times: 8.30am to 4.30pm
Cost: $295 (charged to your College account)
For further information and registration – click here or contact Mrs Jenny Olsen jolsen@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au
We will be running a full-day First Aid Course (HLTAID003) for students in Years 10, 11 and 12 on Sunday 23 May 2021.
Cost: $99 (charged to your College account)
When: Sunday 23 May 2021
Time: 9.00am to 3.00pm
Where: KM Building
Years: Years 10 to 12 students
Details: Please make sure you have enough food and drink for the day. Breaks will be staggered and there may not be opportunity to leave and get food. This is a practical course; it is hands-on training, combined with skills workshops. Training scenarios will involve kneeling, sitting and/or lying down on the ground both indoors and outdoors.
Course Assessment – Your competence may be assessed in three ways:
- A practical assessment of your CPR skills and your first aid skills during training scenarios
- Peer feedback during scenario debriefing
- Completion of a course workbook on the day
To register – click here.
