From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
This week our phenomenal music teachers provided us a Windows into Learning with the chance to attend a series of open rehearsals. Thank you to all of you who were able to come and see your daughter’s dedication to her music through listening to her rehearsal. A huge shout out to Mr Kurt Schweinberger and our Performing Arts team who lead such exceptional music and performance learning for our girls.
Pymble Proud as a group of Year 5 girls connect with country
I am very proud of a group of Year 5 girls who are on a service-learning opportunity this week by immersing themselves in learning alongside the students at Brewarrina Central School. Ninety-seven per cent of the students at this school are Aboriginal and the town sits 800 kilometres northwest of Sydney on land owned traditionally by the Ngemba, Ualarai, Murrawarri and Wailwan people. I drove out to Dubbo on Sunday to surprise the girls on their way to Brewarrina and we spent a wonderful evening together at Dubbo Zoo where we had an evening guided tour through the zoo.
Whilst the girls are in Brewarrina, they will work collaboratively with the students at the local school to plant saplings and connect with country through that shared project.
A huge shout out to the three teachers, Mrs Emily Clutterham, Ms Gabby Gunson and Ms Meagan Bartlett, who are guiding the girls through this experience.
Congratulations to our e-Sports legends
This week Mya Aggarwal, Elaine Liu (Year 5), Isabelle Yeh and Salma Hassan (Year 6) participated in an e-Sports competition and performed exceptionally well progressing to the quarter finals. Many of our girls had not played the game before so they were justifiably proud of their fabulous results.
A huge thank you to Mr Jake Turnbull and Miss Thomasina Buchner who support the girls in e-Sports and cheered them on in the competition. I am particularly proud to hear how our girls were the most supportive and encouraging students at the competition #PymbleProud!
Holidays are here!
As we come to the end of Term 1, I want to wish you all a wonderful holiday. For those of you travelling, I wish you safe travels and special memory-making moments wherever you go. For those who, like me, are looking forward to a stay-cation, I hope you have many wonderful adventures and lots of relaxation time in and around your homes.
This term we have focused on kindness to self and as I have said to the girls it’s really important, they use the term break to relax and re-energise ready for the term ahead. The girls have worked so hard over the last 11 weeks and they deserve, and need, space and time to rest and be ready for the many new learning challenges of next term.
Thank you all for your care and trust this term and for your constant support and respect to our amazing Junior School teachers.
Happy holidays!
A reminder about our Junior School Dads’ Sport team – calling all dads!
Percy Yang, one of our JSPG Relationship Leaders and a current Junior School dad has had the brilliant idea of setting up a social Dads’ sports team. Please click here to express your interest in the sports suggested for this initiative.
A message from Mrs Lara Bird – Deputy Head of Junior School – Academic
This term our Junior School girls have been immersed in learning opportunities to build their academic knowledge and skills. As a Junior School we notice each student for the strengths that she brings to school, her areas for growth, as well as her passions and interests. We are Pymble proud of our girls for continuing to challenge themselves and have a go, often stepping outside their comfort zone in their learning. Well done girls on a great term of learning.
Academic Competition
ICAS
The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) will be held in Term 3 These assessments will be available to students in Years 3 to 6 and held before school. These assessments will include Writing, English, Mathematics and Spelling.
Not all schools enter these competitions, and some schools enter only their high achieving students. This is a voluntary competition and will be held before school.
Australian Mathematics Trust
The Australian Mathematics Competition will be held in Term 3 for students in Years 3 to 6. This assessment is a voluntary competition and will be held before school.
Parents will receive further information in Term 2 on how to sign up for these assessments.
School Holiday Programs
For students who love acting, Open NIDA have workshops available in the holidays.
Open NIDA – School holiday workshops for students in Kindergarten to Year 6. For more information, click here.
University of Sydney | Autumn School Holiday Program: Ancient Greek Myths
Monday 15 April to Friday 19 April, 2024
Explore the myths of ancient Greece this school holidays with archaeologists and ancient historians from the Chau Chak Wing Museum as we take you on a journey through the collection of vases, statues and other works of art from ancient Greece.
Throughout the workshops, you’ll be able to:
- Handle ancient Greek artefacts
- Discover how archaeologists learn about the past
- Hear ancient mythological stories of gods, goddesses and heroes
- Make your own ferocious monster
- Help decorate an ancient Greek vase with your favourite mythological scene
These activities are perfect for children aged 6-12. Parents/guardians are required to stay with children throughout the session.
University of Sydney | Dr Karl’s Great Moments in Science
Tuesday 16 April, 2024
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Dr Karl here to explain! Get ready for mind-bending facts, science-stuffed stories, and puns faster than the speed of light.
Find out how Flat Earthers are trying to pull a Swiftie on you, how earworms get in your brain, and why the NSW Government can fine you for simply waving to your family. Plus, what’s ‘Earth Overshoot Day’ and does it involve basketballs?
Find out as Karl slam dunks his way through the science and gives us electric car solutions (not problems!) to powering Australia.
Bring your questions for the Q&A!
A message from Mr Stephen Robinson – Acting Deputy Head of Junior School – Operations
STEAM Festival – Student Marketplace
Preparations for the STEAM Festival, to be held on the last day of Term 2, are well underway. This week I spoke to students in Years 3 to 6 and invited students to sign up for holding a STEAM themed market stall. Stalls can be operated individually, or collaboratively in groups up to five students. Please register your child’s market stall via this link.
Lost Property
With the cooler months fast approaching, students are starting to wear layers of clothes. Please ensure that all items are clearly labelled. At present, the lost property room is overflowing with a range of hats, jackets and drink bottles. Students and parents can access this room before and after school.
Uniform
With a full range of activities happening at school tomorrow (Friday 12 April), all students are invited to wear their House Polo shirts and Sports shorts/shoes.
From Day 1 of Term 2, students will be required to wear full winter uniform. This includes the blazer when traveling to and from the College. The navy winter hat is now an optional uniform item.
A message from Mrs Kate Giles – Head of Wellbeing K-6
Parent Wellbeing Series
Due to added interest, we are holding a second session on ‘How to help your daughter with her emotions’. The session will be the same as the one held earlier this term and will focus on emotional regulation and how to help your daughter manage her emotions.
You will also hear from Heidi Lynch, Kindergarten Co-ordinator and Tracy Reid, Year 3 Co-ordinator about the programs used in the classroom. The session will be held on Thursday 9 May at 8.30am in the 3-6 Library. Please sign up using this link.
Running Kilometres for Kindness at the Lindfield Fun Run
The Junior School Kindness Club invite you to run kilometres for Kindness on Sunday 19 May. The event, the Lindfield Fun Run is a Rotary Club community event with proceeds going to local community charities. Participants can walk, jog or run 2km, 5km or 10km while raising money for charity.
To join us, please sign up and select the Junior School team when registering using this link. Mrs Brown, Mrs Giles and Mr Schweinberger have all already signed up to run with the girls on the day.
Please note that a parent or carer is needed to attend with your daughter at the event. We look forward to the event and joining together as a Junior School community to run kilometres for kindness on Sunday 19 May!
A message from our Year 6 Kindness Leaders – Safina Burgess, Melody Chen, Ria Iyer, Chloe Morrison
On Tuesday the four Kindness Leaders, alongside Mrs Giles and Mrs Musico, visited the Westmead Children’s Hospital. We met with the doctors and social workers of the HARK Refugee Clinic and gave them the stationery and school supplies that our generous K-2 girls and families had donated.
We were so proud that there were over 90 satchels of school supplies to donate. We enjoyed learning from the clinic that these children who will get the packs arrive in Australia with nothing and were sad that they did not have any items to help them at school.
We enjoyed the experience thoroughly and we are grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the HARK refugee clinic and help spread the kindness from our K-2 families to them.
A message from Mrs Fiona McDermott – K-6 Co-curricular Co-ordinator
Co-Curricular Activities Term 2
Please note the following information regarding Co-Curricular activities:
· Term 1 Co-Curricular activities continue until the last day – Friday 12 April 2024
· Term 2 Co-Curricular activities start on the first day – Tuesday 30 April 2024
Holiday Programs
Click here to learn about our Tennis Holiday Program.
Information about our Swimming Holiday Program can be found by clicking here.
Junior School Digital News
Term 1 2024 Key Dates
Friday 12 April Tomorrow is the last day of Term 1 – Happy Holidays!
Tuesday 30 April First day of Term 2
Tuesday 2 May Y3-12 ANZAC Day assembly 1.15pm-1.45pm
Thursday 2 May Nutbush Dance Event 1.30pm – 2.15pm
Friday 3 May Individual student catch up photo day
Friday 3 May Year 6 Incursion: Paul Fletcher MP 11.45am
Friday 3 May Bowden Brae Visit
Friday 3 May – Sunday 5 May Years 4-12 Eisteddfod Intensive Weekend
Saturday 4 May IPSHA Sport Commences
From the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG)
JSPG Movie Night
We were very disappointed to not be able to have the JSPG Movie Night as planned last weekend. Tickets will be carried over to the new date, but we understand this may not be suitable for everyone so refunds are available from Community Engagement if needed.
Thank you for your support and understanding, and we look forward to sharing this event with you later in the year.
JSPG Year 6 Parent Daughter Dance
Year 6 Parents, you are warmly invited to the Year 6 Parent Daughter Dance on Saturday 25 May from 6.30pm to 9.30pm at Killara Golf Club. This event is one of the most anticipated Year 6 traditions in the Junior School, before the girls move on to Secondary School. The theme for this year’s dance is ‘Springtime in Paris’.
Tickets are on sale now here. We look forward to celebrating with you and your daughter on this special night!
PPA Year 4 Mother and Daughter Camp
Year 4 Mums, please save the date – Saturday 1 June to Sunday 2 June, staying overnight at Vision Valley. There will be lots of fun activities to do together. Don’t miss this special opportunity to spend uninterrupted time with our girls. Further details will be provided early in Term 2.
Upcoming Events
- Year 4 Sip & Supper – Wednesday 1 May
Please note the venue change to the Greengate Hotel at Killara, from 7pm. All Year 4 parents welcome.
Thank you
Thank you to all our parent volunteers that have generously given their time this term. It’s been a busy term but a most enjoyable start to the year. Thank you to all our Pymble families for your ongoing support. We look forward to seeing you after the break, rested and recharged for Term 2!
We hope our Kindergarten to Year 2 girls enjoy their Easter Cookie Decorating activity this Friday, along with their Easter Hat Parade to finish off the term.
Please contact us with any questions or feedback at pymblelcjspg@gmail.com
Kate Brown
Head of Junior School