From the Senior School

From the Head of Senior School

As the Senior School students approach more assessments towards the end of term, it is timely to consider how best to prepare and how to maintain energy and focus. Situations can become stressful when the workload increases and the most effective way to manage this is to get organised.

Some strategies include going on a ‘media diet’. When the students are studying it is best to switch off social media and Tik Tok clips and let the focus be on the work at hand. Time is precious, so if you’re committing to study or work, ensure that time is being used wisely.

Don’t wait until you feel entertained by the subject matter to begin your work. The truth is that we become interested in what we know more about, and deeper knowledge of a subject will make the content more engaging. It’s never too late to start preparing, but steady routines established earlier will always be more effective.

Working collaboratively is also motivating. Teaching your peers, providing feedback and listening to their perspective will challenge and enrich your understanding.

As always, a well balanced diet, lots of water and plenty of sleep are also the key factors for academic growth.

Cross Country

Congratulations to all Senior girls who completed the Cross Country course on Monday. It was a lovely morning of athletes pushing themselves to achieve personal bests while others were happy to run the course. Many thanks to the Senior girls who lead with such enthusiasm and fun, creating a fun carnival-like atmosphere.

NSWMUN

Congratulations to all students recently involved in the inaugural NSWMUN Conference, held at Pymble. Please find below our student report from Year 11 student leader, Catherine:

“This year, Pymble hosted the inaugural NSW Model United Nations Conference, spanning from the 9th to the 10th of February. Friday evening featured a series of workshops and guest speakers, while Saturday was dedicated to full-day committee debates. Delegates from across NSW gathered at Pymble, and the secretariat, composed of diligent high school students who dedicated their summer holidays, played a pivotal role in bringing this vision to fruition. Approximately 100 high school students actively participated in the event.

The conference’s theme, ‘Bridging Nations,’ emphasised the significance of connecting nations to empower youth in constructing a united world. Programs like Model United Nations provide young individuals with crucial diplomatic skills, a global perspective, and a sense of responsibility. ‘Bridging Nations’ aspires to equip the next generation to collaboratively navigate global challenges and foster a more harmonious world.

On Friday, delegates attended competitive MUN workshops led by Angus McGregor, the 2021 winner of Evatt Nationals (Australia’s most prestigious MUN Competition), and Justin Qin, the top performer in Evatt in NSW. Activities such as SPECTRUM and Middle Ground engaged delegates with a variety of questions about cultural identity, the international community, and hopes for the future. On Sunday, delegates were divided into three streams based on actual UN Committees: SOCHUM, ECOSOC, and UNSC. They debated their prepared resolutions and were challenged with an unseen resolution in the second committee session, with 20 minutes for preparation. The culmination occurred in John Reid Hall, where delegates from all streams engaged in their final committee debate in the General Assembly.

The conference received positive feedback, marking two successful days. This year’s conference was open to students from Years 8 to 12 in NSW. As we look ahead, we hope the NSW Inter-school MUN Conference continues to expand, encouraging broader participation and involving more students in the future.” – Written by Catherine Shi (Year 11)