From the Senior School
From the Head of Senior School
Christmas has arrived in the Senior School!
This penultimate newsletter brings many congratulations to all our new Year 12 students who have started their final school year so strongly. As a Year group, they demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility and respect for each other, the College and themselves. I would like all students to reflect on the significant growth they have shown this year, academically, socially and personally. It would be a great conversation at home to chat with your daughter about this and reflect together on the determination, enthusiasm and care shown.
In Compass this week the students wrote notes of gratitude to teachers who they wanted to specially thank. These have been so gratefully received by the staff, who were genuinely touched to be thanked so kindly. Gratitude is an important practice to establish, as many studies have shown that taking time to be thankful can help build and maintain relationships with others, resulting in hope, life satisfaction, and more proactive behaviours toward others.
This week we announced students who will be recognised at our annual Speech Day next week. Congratulations to all those students and I would like to remind all families that attendance for all students is compulsory at this event. Please check your daughter’s uniform is in good order for this important event.
This week we have been busily preparing for our Christmas festivities that will take place on Friday. We will be enjoying a huge Secret Santa, lunch and sing-a-long. Many thanks to Brielle and Sameera for all the work they have done leading up to this lovely event.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Caprian Liu of Year 12 who has been selected to attend the National Mathematics Summer School for two weeks in January. The school is being held at ANU in Canberra, and is aimed at talented and keen young Mathematicians from around Australia. Caprian is one of only 25 students from NSW who have been chosen to attend. Well done, Caprian!
National Agriculture Day
National Agriculture Day is held annually in November as a day to commemorate those working in the industry and celebrate the importance of agriculture in our everyday lives. National Agriculture Day is a major event in the calendar where both rural and non-rural communities can come together to acknowledge and learn about Australia’s incredible farming sector.
This year’s theme was ‘Grow you good thing’, where farmers were thanked for the crucial role they play in the Australian economy and for the work they do each day to ensure food is brought to everyone’s table. For Australia, agriculture is more than just an industry that provides food and fibre to community, it is also a lifestyle in which producers and their families earn a living and pave a way of life.
Last week, Mr Jackson’s Year 12 Agriculture class held a special barbecue at the Pymble Ag Plot and heard from female agriculturalist and ex-Pymble student, Ms Lizzy Glen, who spoke to the students as a way of recognising the day. The students were fortunate enough to hear about Lizzie’s journey after school into the agriculture sector and the struggles she overcame when choosing her career. She was able to expand on the importance of working in the Agriculture industry and spoke about possible career paths after leaving school, along with reference to some interesting casual job opportunities that may present in small rural towns. Year 12 were also able to gain some crucial tips from Lizzie in terms of study for their upcoming HSC year.
Lizzie is currently studying at UNE where she is completing an Ag and Law double degree, living on campus and involving herself in the local community. To Lizzie in particular, agriculture is a way to give back to the community and create a sense of purpose for herself by learning about the heritage and history of the land. Her involvement in the industry is a way to explore some of the issues faced by primary producers, with a mission to bring awareness to the hardships faced by those working in the agriculture sector and bring solutions to rural communities in need.
She found that living and working in a rural township is an incredible experience, where she is able to meet new people from all walks of life and embrace change on a wider-scale. Not only did she find moving from the city to the country as a way to re-start her life, but it was also an opportunity for her to challenge herself and further develop her passion for the agriculture industry. From Lizzie’s presentation, Year 12 were able to grasp the imperative nature of the industry and spread awareness amongst their cohort on the importance the ag industry plays in everyone’s life
Written by Torie Burton (Year 12), Agriculture Captain
From the Secondary School Parent Group
FINAL REMINDER: Any parents or carers from Year 12 2024 who would like to join us for this end-of-year event being held at the Yemma’s home on Friday 8 December, please RSVP asap to Susan (sma.liu@yahoo.com). We have had a great response so far and it will be a perfect opportunity to reconnect before the summer break.
Cost: $42 per person
When: Friday 8 December at 7.00pm
Where: The Yemma’s home at 103 Junction Road, Wahroonga
RSVP by December 1st to Susan sma.liu@yahoo.com
Please advise of any dietary requirements.
Term 4 – Key Dates
23 November – Dan Haesler presentation – Winning’s a Lousy Teacher
6 December Speech Day Year 7 to 11
6 December Term 4 concludes
Nikki Wyse
Head of Senior School