From the Middle School
As we draw to the close of our first term for 2024, I’d like to congratulate all of the Middle School students on their achievements within the classroom and on the sporting fields. It has been a busy and productive time in which the girls have stepped up to opportunities, embraced challenges and consolidated friendships. Year 7 in particular has already established a proud reputation as keen and enthusiastic members of our Pymble community. The team has been impressed by the way they have taken things in their stride and made a very successful transition to high school. Thank you to all of our Middle School families for your support and encouragement of your daughters over the last 11 weeks.
I would like to particularly thank our Middle School team – our administration staff, our Heads of Year and the Deputy Head of Middle School – for their dedication to ensuring that the girls have felt supported and cared for throughout the term.
In the past week, Year 7 had the opportunity to join an author talk with Maryam Master, author of No Words and Exit Through the Gift Shop as part of the Sharing Stories Festival organised by our Library team. Maryam’s debut novel Exit Through the Gift Shop was shortlisted for Book of the Year in the Younger Readers category in 2022 by the CBCA. Her latest book is No Words, a uniquely narrated, moving story about a young refugee trying to find his place in the world.
I wanted to share with you some of the student feedback comments from the Year 7 Outdoor Education program which sum up the benefits of this important experience. We found many consistent themes across the year group which acknowledged individuals conquering their fears, facing new challenges and most of all, establishing new friendships and bonds with their Compass groups.
“I loved the Leap of Faith because I was proud of myself that I touched the ball!”
“I enjoyed the hike the most because I could see gorgeous views and I experienced different challenges during the hike. I can also share this experience with my dad.”
“The dinners because the food was really good, and the crate stacking was really fun and made us use our thinking skills.”
“I enjoyed doing activities with my friends because we could understand more of their strengths and do more teamwork with one another. My favourite activity out of all of them was rock climbing. I have always loved rock climbing and try to use more power on the legs.”
“I liked the team challenge activities because it helped me make new friends from interacting with people I usually don’t talk to. It also encouraged me to learn about new things, step out of my comfort zone by trying new activities, and work on building my teamwork and group collaboration skills. It was very fun.”
“I enjoyed hanging out with my friends the most because it gave me some more time to bond with them. One of my favourite nights of the OEP was Trivia Night; it was so much fun and me and my friends laughed a lot in the process.”
“Having the opportunity to bond and connect with my compass group allowed me to feel more comfortable around my peers”
“I enjoyed trying all the activities at Vision Valley because they really challenged me and many of them were out of my comfort zone. Overcoming my fears and doing these activities gave me confidence and pride to try more new things.”
“Getting to spend time connecting with new people in my class who I wouldn’t usually hang out with and trying lots of fun new activities with them.”
“Going down the waterslide, with my friends. I am really scared of going down big slides, and I’m glad I got the opportunity to face my fear, and I ended up really enjoying it and going down many more times.”
Pymble Mornings have begun in Middle School. Our Year 8 Tour Guides have done an amazing job showing our campus to prospective students and families.
All the best for a safe and happy term break. We are looking forward to welcoming the girls back for Term 2.
From the Middle School Parent Groups
Year 7
We are looking forward to our Year 7 Ladies’ Night on Friday 17 May. The evening is being held at The Greengate from 7.30pm in The Alcove.
We would like to also hold a second Ladies’ Night on Friday 2nd August at the beginning of Term 3 so everyone has the opportunity to participate.
Please note that we are also holding a dads’ function shortly.
Please also note the following dates for other events coming up:
Year 7 Mother and Daughters’ Day at Vision Valley on Sunday 16 June
This will be a lovely day for all our mothers and daughters to spend quality time together at Vision Valley undertaking a range of activities. It is the first event of its kind and promises to be very special!
PPA Trivia Night on Saturday 22 June
This is an exciting night not to be missed! One of the most popular and fun whole school events in the year, this year’s Trivia Night is being held at a new venue, event centre “Miramare Gardens” at Terrey Hills.
The theme is “Rock Pop Stars” and dress up is encouraged but optional, so we look forward to creating at least a couple of Year 7 tables for a really fun night out!
There are also wider Pymble Dads’ events happening this year which we are finding out about to ensure our Year 7 dads and carers can attend.
Wishing all our Year 7 parents a happy and safe holiday period.
Kind regards
Stephanie, Leigh and Briar
Year 8
Year 8 Dinner
Our next Year 8 event will be a “parents’ night out” for our parents and carers to meet up over dinner and drinks.
We are currently looking at either Friday 24 May or Friday 31 May (Term 2). We will include a poll within our WhatsApp group to see which date suits the majority.
In terms of a venue, local options like The Greengate Hotel or The Governor Hotel usually work well as they are cost-effective and we can individually order our dinner and drinks at the bar (not requiring prepayment for a large group). However, please let us know if you know of any other good venues.
Hope most of our parents can make it, it should be a wonderful night catching up with everyone!
Year 8 Coffee Morning
Our next coffee morning will be held on Friday 7 June.
I apologise that I have not placed the submission into a Word document as I am away from home and do not have access to my computer.
From the Year 8 Co-ordinators
Kai and Cindy
Jenny O’Donnell
Head of Middle School