From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
CHÚC MỪNG NĂM MỚI!
새해 복 많이 받으세요
Xīnnián kuàilè!
This week we have had the joy of sharing the wonderfulness of Lunar New Year as a Junior School community. A huge thanks to Ms Anna To and Mrs Victoria Adamovich who planned and led a feast of different activities for girls to explore and enjoy over lunchtimes this week.
Pymble Pulse
Our girls were proudly cheering one another one and showing their Pymble spirit as we began our 2024 Saturday sport in the rain last weekend. Whatever the final score was for each game, our girls brought their strength and sisterhood to their matches and I am always very Pymble proud watching them.
A huge shout out to our girls in Kindergarten to Year 2 who brought high energy to their soccer activities and supported each other as for some of them this was a first go at sport. A special thank you to all of you who came to support your girls and made new friends too as you stood on the sidelines.
Learning with AI
There is much talk in the media about AI; some are excited, others fear its profile in our lives and the power it may wield. Within Pymble we are embracing it with an open and curious mind as a learning partner for our girls. With AI as a collaborative tool, our girls are learning to reach higher levels of knowledge quicker, while learning to remain discerning, critical evaluators of information and ideas when collaborating with Generative AI.
This depth of thinking is evident in our Year 5 Mission to Mars unit where girls worked last week with Mrs Jo Avraam to understand how to design, build and code a robotic arm for their Rover to pick up rock samples from the surface of Mars. Mrs Avraam modelled how to collaborate with Microsoft CoPilot effectively and safely. With Mrs Avraam’s guidance, the girls designed questions to quickly gather knowledge about prosthetics. On receipt of the AI generated information, the girls asked different questions to unpack the information in a way they, as 10 year olds, could understand. Through the process, the girls therefore learnt how to partner with AI to gather information through effective prompts and how to evaluate the truth of that information.
Mrs Bird and I met with two of our budding NASA groups: Charlotte Lau, Olivia Headley, Amy Zhong, Madeleine Dreverman and Carolyn Sang, Uya Cheng, Harper Chen, Hayley Du and Angelina Yang who enthusiastically shared their learning experience with us:
“Mission to Mars is all about trying to build, create and survive on a different planet. We are the intrepid explorers on this mission as it’s the first time Pymble have done this.
We’re brainstorming and asking questions for Bing AI with Mrs Avraam. Our group designed a model to help astronauts pick up samples on the surface of Mars and we combined a robotic arm with a backpack so our astronaut can store supplies and equipment to keep themself and the robotic arm safe. They can also then store the specimens they collect in the backpack.
Our group designed a hand and arm that is fully automated. It extends, rotates and retracts. We added a torch and a camera onto the palm of the hand to enable us to record data effectively by studying what the hand sees as it moves around the surface of Mars.
This unit allows us to be so creative and we get to do lots of engineering, and Maths as we work together. We make mistakes but work together to sort them. Our robotic arm prototype broke down, so we needed to be able to work out how to repair it ourselves. We’ve modelled it off a human arm so it has an elbow joint so it’s flexible. We have so many different choices of things to learn this term and then at the end of this term we choose the NASA department we want to apply to work for during Term 2. We can get fired if we don’t work hard!
Skills we’ve learnt along our Mars Mission so far:
What skills am I learning as I work as a team:
- Learning to give and receive feedback properly so we can improve our design
- Listening to one another’s ideas and making sure we try each other’s ideas.
- Working methodically and as a team. We designed, then tried our design, then figured out how to improve our design by problem solving.
- Continuing to think all the time about what we can do next to improve our design.
Working for NASA in Term 2
Olivia: I want to apply to the department that works out how to safely land the Rover on Mars
Charlotte: I want to apply to the department that does the lift off from Earth because one day I would love to be an Astronaut and go and explore Pluto the dwarf planet.
Maddie: I want to apply to the department that works out how to program the Rover to navigate the rocky surface on Mars
Amy: I want to apply to the department so I can work with Minecraft to simulate the journey from Earth to Mars and calculate all the things I will need along that journey. “
At our upcoming Junior School Parent Group (JSPG) meeting for Term 1, Mrs Lara Bird, Deputy Head of Junior School Academics will speak to the work we are doing to build specific learner dispositions in our girls which we know will stand them apart from others when they graduate school. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the JSPG meeting on Wednesday 28 February from 8.15am to 9.15am. For those not able to attend, the meeting will be recorded and a link shared at a later date.
A message from Mrs Kate Giles – Head of Wellbeing K-6
‘How much you love yourself is how you teach others to love you’
This week we had a visit from Dana Kerford, the founder of the URSTRONG Friendship program. Our Years 2, 3 and 5 students explored the qualities of healthy friendships, how to use the friend-o-meter and the 4 friendship facts:
- No friendship or relationship is perfect
- Every friendship is different
- Trust and respect are the two most important qualities of a friendship
- Friendships change and that’s ok
Dana helped the girls to explore, and role play how to put out friendship fires and understand the difference between these and ‘mean on purpose’ behaviour. The girls enjoyed learning the importance of body language and the skills of starting a conversation through the idea of passing and catching. Dana finished the day by giving Year 5 a reminder that “how much you love yourself is how you teach others to love you”, reminding them to be friendly and kind to all, but that they deserve friends who want to be friends with them.
“I was surprised to learn that it was 93% how you say something”– Ellie H (Year 5)
“I really liked using my toy to learn about how to start a conversation”- Selena R (Year 3)
“Today I learnt that it is ok to say no as long as you are kind”– Ellie L (Year 5)
The aim of the URSTRONG program is to empower and equip the girls to be able to manage their friendships and it provides both parents and teachers with a common language to support them. I encourage you to talk to your daughter about this session and her friendships generally. Should you wish to learn more about the URSTRONG program, parent resources can be found by clicking here.
Parent feedback sessions
We are seeking feedback from our parent community regarding class formation. Focus groups will be held at 3.30pm on Monday 19 February in the Junior School Office. If you are interested in sharing your thoughts about the class formation process, please sign up by clicking here.
A message from Mrs Shaira Musico – Junior School Service Coordinator
As part of our Junior School focus on service, we will be supporting a number of different initiatives this year. Kindergarten to Year 2 will continue to support the HARK Refugee Clinic at the Children’s Hospital Westmead this year. We are seeking donations of new stationery items to assist students at school. This could include lead or coloured pencils, pencil cases, pens, textas, glue sticks, scissors and other small stationery items. These items can be brought to school by your daughter or dropped at the Junior School office. We are looking to deliver these items to HARK Refugee Clinic on Monday 25 March.
We thank you so much for your support and look forward to making a difference together.
A message from Mr Stephen Robinson – Acting Deputy Head of Junior School – Operations
JSPG Term 1 Meeting
We look forward to swing many of you at our Term 1 meeting on Wednesday 28 February in the 3-6 Library from 8.15am. For those who are unable to join us in person but want to attend, please use this link to view a live stream.
Babysitting during Icebreaker
We are very much looking forward to seeing many of our parents at our College Icebreaker event in the evening of Friday 1 March 2024. To assist families, we are happy to announce we are providing FREE babysitting to current Junior School girls during this event.
Students will be supervised by Junior School staff in the John Reid Hall for a movie night (G Rating), with craft activities also available.
Spots are limited to the first 75 children registered. Please submit another response if you have another daughter in Junior School requiring supervision. ONLY current Junior School students may be registered.
Students may be dropped off from 6.45pm and must be collected by 8.15pm (although the Icebreaker event ends at 9pm). Please be aware that there is no food provided. Students must eat dinner before arrival.
Train Line
Students and parents are requested to cross from the train station using the pedestrian crossing with the crossing guard only. Please DO NOT use the crossing located on the corner outside the train tunnel, as this is not supervised and poses increased risk.
Grey House Walk Access
Excitedly, we have now broken soil on our Grey House Precinct development, with excavation and construction activities now beginning. Construction of the GHP will interrupt access to Grey House Walk and as part of our Development Approval, gates will only be open:
- 7.00am to 9.00am
- 2.30pm to 6.00pm
There will be no access outside of this time. Please plan your use of Grey House Walk within these key times.
Access via Gates 1, 2 and 3 remain as normal, and as such there is no impact on co-curricular collection points.
Reminder: Grey House Walk is an exit point only for students with pre-approved passes and live in the local neighbourhood.
A message from Kurt Schweinberger – Head of Creative and Performing Arts (Kindergarten to Year 6)
Year 3 String Orchestra Workshop Day
Year 3 String Workshop Day is to be held on Sunday 18 February in the John Reid Hall and Sunshine Square. Notes and information have been emailed to parents and students. The girls will participate in tutorials and rehearsals from 9.00am to 1.00pm. It is essential that all students in the Year 3 String Program attend this day. Please see the parent portal for all information.
Stanhope and Grainger Band Workshop Day
All parents with students involved in the Stanhope and Grainger Bands will have received notes regarding our annual Junior School Band Workshop Day which will be held at the College on Saturday 17 February for all members of these ensembles. It will be a busy day of tutorials, rehearsals, and activities to get these ensembles off to a flying start for 2024. All members of these two ensembles are expected to attend. Please see the parent portal for all information.
Year 4 Training Band Workshop Day
The 4 Training Band Workshop Day will be held on Sunday 18 February. The girls will participate in tutorials and rehearsals from 9.00am to 1.00pm with morning tea and lunch provided. It is essential that all students attend this day. It will be a busy day of tutorials, rehearsals, and activities to get these ensembles off to a flying start for 2024. Please see the parent portal for all information.
A message from the Junior School Administration Office
Thank you for notifying the office if your daughter has change travel after school or has an appointment. Could we kindly request for you to include your daughters full name and class on all correspondence so we can respond to your request quickly and pass the message onto your daughter.
Lunch and Recess Orders
A reminder to pack your daughter with a drink bottle, recess and lunch each day. You can order online through Flexischools, the cut off time for ordering on the day is 8.00am.
Years 5 and 6 will have access to Archie’s during lunch time. 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 – please click the links below for how to do this.
Archie’s Café hours are 7.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
Set up account and ordering information
Linking a student card including nominating a daily spend limit
Term 1 2024 Key Dates (Weeks 1, 2 & 3)
Friday 16 February Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival. Girls in Years 3-6 are to come to school in their PE uniform and their House shirt.
Saturday 17 February IPSHA Saturday Sport
Saturday 17 February Years 4-6 Band Camp
Saturday 17 February Year 3 String Intensive
Sunday 18 February Y4-6 Band Camp, Y3 String Intensive
Monday 19 February Allwell Testing – Year 3: 8.30-12.30
Wednesday 21 February Allwell Testing – Year 5: 8.30-12.30
Friday 23 February Kindy Exploring Pymble Tour
Friday 23 February Year 6 Excursion to Parliament/Gallery
Friday 23 February NAPLAN Omnibus Year 3 and Year 5 P1
Saturday 24 February IPSHA Saturday Sport
Monday 26 February Author Visit Years 1 and 2 8.30-9.30
Tuesday 27 February Allwell Testing – catch ups
Wednesday 28 February JSPG Term 1 meeting 8.15am-9.15am
Wednesday 28 February Year 2 NSW Schoolhouse Museum
Thursday 29 February Years 3-6 Cross Country
Friday 1 March Class Photos 8.30am – 1.00pm
Friday 1 March PPA Icebreaker
Saturday 2 March IPSHA Saturday Sport
From the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG)
PPA Semester 1 Meeting – Monday 12 February
All Pymble parents and carers are invited to attend the Pymble Parents Association (PPA) Semester 1 Meeting on Monday 12 February from 6.00pm in the David Macfarlane Centre. Light refreshments will be served from 5.30pm.
Dr Kate Hadwen, Principal, Kelly Mancey, Director – Community Engagement and Sunny Hres, PPA President will provide an update on the expected 2024 landscape. Registration not required. We hope to see you there.
Kindergarten Parent Breakfast – Friday 23 February
We invite our Kindergarten parents to come together for a relaxed social breakfast with Mrs Kate Brown, Head of Junior School and Junior School staff. Please stay after dropping off your daughter, from 8.15am to 9.15am on the lawn behind Hedgehog House. Please RSVP by Friday 16 February via the invitation on MyPymble.
Years 3-6 Junior School Swimming Carnival – Friday 16 February
Parents are welcome to attend and support their daughter/s. We encourage parents to wear a touch of their daughters House colour and get into the House spirit with the girls.
Refreshments for parents are available from Archie’s Café. Lunch orders are available for the girls as usual.
Please note this is a full school day and there are no early departures for students.
Welcome to 2024 – Icebreaker Invitation – Friday 1 March
Please join us for canapes and drinks at our annual Icebreaker on Friday 1 March from 6.45pm to 9.00pm, held on Gloucester Lawn.
Tickets are $52 per person and include a cocktail style dinner and drinks. This year’s theme is (an optional) touch of florals. Banners will be set up to help group parents by year group.
Please click here to RSVP by Thursday 22 February. Please note this is a parent only event and registration is essential.
We hope you’ll join us as we welcome our new families, reconnect with old friends and toast a wonderful new year at Pymble!
Upcoming Events
- 3BM Playdate – Sunday 11 February
Let’s Play at Bicentennial Park, West Pymble. Please see the flyer for details.
- Save the Date: Year 1 Easter Egg Hunt – Sunday 24 March
Hop on over for our Year 1 Easter Egg Hunt at Bicentennial Park West Pymble. Please see the flyer for details and RSVP to your Parent Year Coordinators.
As you can see, we are off to a flying start for 2024!
We hope you enjoy meeting your daughter’s new compass teacher/s at the Parent Information Evening next Thursday 15 February. After your session, please head to the lawn behind Hedgehog House, where you can meet and socialise with other parents for a short time.
Please contact us with any questions at pymblelcjspg@gmail.com
Kate Brown
Head of Junior School