From the Middle School
Congratulations to our Year 7 and Year 8 Da Vinci Decathlon Teams who both achieved outstanding results earlier this week at Knox. Year 7 placed 1st in English, Creative Producers, Ideation, and 3rd in Science, coming 3rd overall in the State. Our Year 8 team placed 1st in English, coming 2nd overall in the State. Well done girls!
Year 7: Isabella Dong, Danielle Hu, Adele Jiang, Arden Liceralde, Jing Yuan Liu, Emma Ouyang, Anika Verma, Meii You
Year 8: Celine Cai , Ruby Chu, Harriet Gregory, Yen Huynh, Chloe Shao, Alexa Wu, Katherine Xu, Bella Yang
This week Middle School has gone all out to celebrate our wonderful Boarders.
Ruby Azar from Spriong Flat, Naria Bron from Taree, Sienna Clark from Scone, Zahra Craig from Breeza, Milly Farr from Walgett, Jade George from Thursday Island, Isabel Gordon from New Guinea, Daysie Leahy from Walgett, Camilla Metcalfe from Young, Skye Mitchell from Cudal, Emmeliene Moore from Burren Junction, Quinn Parry-Okeden from Scone, Olivia Sheldrake from Scone, Sarah Swan-Cole from Mitijulu, Phoebe Toynton from Rocky Glen, Lucy Chapman from Glenthorne, Poppy Fox-Ashwin from Dubbo, Madeleine Gaden from Dunedoo, Alice Gall from Moree, Selina Kerin from Obley, Harriett Lisle from Walcha, Cleo McLaughlin from Bilpin, Gianna Pang from Hong Kong, Sasha Paris from Willoughby, Rose Purcell from Temora and Eleanor Ramsay from Quandialla.
The Middle School space is awash with pink alongside candid photos of our Year 7 and 8 Boarders. We have organised our own Middle School schedule of activities to mark the occasion with appropriately themed events being held during lunch each day this week.
On Wednesday, we welcomed the girls to a very special Middle School Boarders’ Morning Tea held in the courtyard. It was so lovely to catch up with the girls as a group and share their enthusiasm for this important date in our calendar.
Life as a Boarder
Hi, I’m Skye Mitchell, I started boarding at Pymble this year in Year 7. I come from Orange in the Central West Region of New South Wales. It’s been quite a change for me moving to Pymble. I now live in Avonmoore House and I am loving my time here. Pymble has provided me with fantastic opportunities, from co-curricular activities to excellent learning experiences. A typical day for me as a boarder involves waking up, a quick breakfast, preparing for my co-curricular morning activity, getting ready for school and then heading up to the colonnade to meet my friends and head to class by 8.15am.
During recess and lunch, I’ll head over to the Dining Hall to collect something to eat. I’ll catch up with my boarding friends there, and then we go out to day school together. After school I make my way back to Avonmoore house, drop off my school bag and get ready for my afternoon activities. I usually have Swimming, Cattle Team or Hockey throughout the week.
I go to prep from 5.00pm to 7:.5pm which is where I have the time to study, catch up on assessments and prepare for the next day. We have dinner during prep from 6.00pm to 6.30pm which is a nice break from study. At 7.15pm we finish prep and go back to Avonmoore, where I have free time to shower, get ready for bed, relax and chill out with my friends. I hand my tech in at 8.00pm and it’s lights out at 8.30pm.
Every weekend, we have an amazing LOVE IT program. It kicks off on Friday afternoon with Boarders Get Baking which involves lots of chocolate! Saturdays are usually dedicated to sports, but we have the opportunity to continue with the LOVE IT program, where we explore the city and participate in really fun activities. On Sunday mornings we have the time to sleep in and have a late breakfast on the Marden lawn. The LOVE IT program continues which is always a great way to spend our day. We are back in boarding at about 5pm for dinner, our Sunday house meeting and prepare for our week.
On Tuesday during the Year 7 Assembly our new Year 7 Leaders received their badges of responsibility. Below is a photo to mark the occasion.
On Tuesday Year 8 had the pleasure of spending the day at the Australian Museum as part of their History study. Below are student reflections on the experience.
I loved exploring the museum and looking at all the exhibitions. Ramses’ coffin and the mummified cat were amazing. The photos that I took there will help me for my History assignment.
Lucy Chapman
The Ramses exhibition was fun and interesting. The best part of the exhibition was seeing the upper part of a Colossus of Ramses II. I enjoyed spending the day with my friends and seeing all the parts of the museum.
Sasha Paris
Good luck to the Year 7 ISDA team who have made it through to the Octo Finals of the high level ISDA debating competition. The final will be held at Roseville College and the girls will be versing Riverview.
I would like to sincerely thank the following Year 7 students who stepped up to an opportunity as Pymble tour guides for prospective families this week. Year 8 usually take on this role as ambassadors of the college but as they were off campus we invited our Year 7 girls to step up. Parent feedback from the event was absolutely positive with repeated praise for the tour guides for the confidence and knowledge of all things Pymble.
On Monday night we held our 2024 National Exchange Program Information Evening. Thank you to all the families who attended. On Tuesday you would have received an email regarding next steps. Can I please remind you of the deadlines below:
Acceptance of Placement – Wednesday 15 May
Student and Family Profile – Monday 3 June
Working with Children Check – Monday 3 June
Thanks to our Year 8 parents who have completed their MMG Education surveys to share feedback with the College. If you have not completed your survey please do so by Friday 23 May. We appreciate the time given to share feedback with us.
Reminder that ySafe will be holding a webinar on Cyber Safety for parents. The webinar will be held on Thursday 30 May. The link to the registration can be found here.
Year 7 and Year 8 students will have a separate presentation also held on Thursday 30 May during school hours.
Key Dates
Monday 20 May – Sydney Writers’ Festival (select students)
Wednesday 29 May – Year 7 to 12 Athletics Carnival
Thursday 30 May – ySafe Parent Webinar
Thursday 6 June – Year 7 Zoo Excursion
Friday 28 June – Last day of Term
From the Middle School Parent Groups
Year 7
We are looking forward to a few events coming up this term:
1. Year 7 Ladies’ Dinner and Drinks – Friday 17 May
Thank you to the ladies who have registered for our event, we have a record turnout and very excited to see everyone tomorrow night. It is being held in The Alcove (between the front bar and The Terrace) from 7:30pm at The Greengate Hotel, Killara.
Please note that we are having another drinks and dinner night early Term 2 (Friday 2 August) so there is another chance to catch up for everyone.
2. Vision Valley Mother-Daughter Day – Sunday 16 June
We are planning a day at Vision Valley which will include an action-packed itinerary (including activities such as kayaking and archery) as well as a group luncheon.
We will provide details of this event in our WhatsApp group next week to see who is interested in attending.
3. Trivia Night – Saturday night 22 June
This is an exciting night not to be missed! The Trivia Night is definitely one of best parent events in the school calendar.
This year’s trivia night is being held at function centre “Miramare Gardens” and promises to be a beautiful night of entertainment, food, drinks, dancing and festivity.
The night’s theme is “Pop Rock Stars” and dress up is encouraged but optional.
Ticket link: https://events.humanitix.com/ppa-trivia-night-2024/tickets
We are currently creating a few Year 7 tables so please reach out if you would like to join!
Year 7 Contact Details
- Year 7 Parent Community – This group is only used to communicate important messages, announcements and reminders. Only the administrators can post messages in this group. The WhatsApp group link is here
- Year 7 Pymble 2029 – Questions – This general chat used by parents to ask questions. The WhatsApp group link is here
Our Facebook group is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pymblelcparentsclassof2029/
Kind regards
Stephanie, Leigh and Briar
Year 8
A very warm welcome to the new families that have joined Pymble this term. We hope that your daughters have settled in well and are enjoying all that Pymble has to offer.
Secondary School Mother’s Day Breakfast
A huge thank you to all the mums, carers and girls that came along to the Mother’s Day Breakfast and for supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Year 8 Coffee Morning
We look forward to holding the next Year 8 coffee morning on Friday 7 June. Please save the date.
PPA Trivia Night
Don’t miss out on what is one of the most enjoyable parent events in the year! We have over 160 parents already signed up for this event, so it’s going to be an amazing evening!
The Trivia Night is being held at the beautiful Miramare Gardens function centre. The theme for the evening is “Pop & Rock Stars”, so come dressed as your favourite pop or rock icon and join us for an unforgettable evening of trivia, prizes, dancing, and fun! Don’t worry if costumes aren’t your thing – your presence is what matters most. We encourage dressing up to add to the festive atmosphere, but it’s entirely optional.
We are currently organising a few Year 8 tables and would love you to join in the fun. Please get in touch if you would like to come along (kai_look@yahoo.com). Tickets can be purchased using this link.
PPA Trivia Night Donations
The Trivia Night is one of the PPA’s biggest fundraisers of the year, with funds going towards:
1. The Teachers’ Luncheon on World Teachers’ Day to express our appreciation
2. The College’s professional development program for our dedicated educators
3. Equipment at the soon-to-be-established Pymble Wellbeing Space to support our students
To make it a successful evening, we rely on the kind support of our community for donations for the live and silent auctions, year group baskets, and raffles. If you have anything that you would like to donate, please get in touch. We are seeking all kinds of donations such as vouchers for experiences, activities, vouchers / products from local businesses (restaurants, gyms, PTs, food & beverage etc), holiday stays, and bottles of wine/champagne to go towards a “Wine/Champagne Lovers” basket (please contact Kenneth Kok at kenneth@kok.family – alcohol cannot be dropped off at school).
We’re also doing something a little bit different this year and collecting donations for “year group baskets”. Years 7 and 8 are collecting items to fill a luxurious basket “for the Mums”. Examples of items ’for mum’ could be a candle, hand lotion, a voucher for a facial, etc. A basket for the collection items will be placed in the Middle School Office.
Social Media for Year 8 Parents
All parents from year 8 are welcome to join the parent led chat groups. The chat groups are independent of the school and are restricted access groups. Being a member of these groups provides opportunities to ask questions and to connect with other parents. Please note that joining these groups is entirely optional.
- PLC Year 8 Announcements – This group is only used communicate important messages, announcements and reminders. Only the administrators can post messages in this group. The WhatsApp group link is <Insert link for Year 8 Announcements here>.
- Yr8 Parents Class of 2028 – This general chat used by parents to ask questions. The WhatsApp group link is <Insert link for Year 8 Announcements here>.
- Dads@Pymble- This is a general chat group for the Dads at Pymble. Please contact Kenneth Kok at kenneth@kok.family to add you to this group.
There is also a Year 8 WeChat group PLC Year 8 2024. Please contact Cindy so she can add you to the group.to add you to this group.
- PymbleLC Parents Class of 2028 is the FB group for our year. Selected messages from WhatsApp will be posted here.
- PymbleLC MSPG 2024. Messages about various activities will be posted here.
- Parents are also encouraged to join PymbleLC PPA and PymbleLC SSPG Facebook groups.
Kindest regards,
Ms Cindy Tian 0400 980 181 and cindy.tian@gmail.com
Ms Kai Jones 0431 725 948 and kai_look@yahoo.com
Jenny O’Donnell
Head of Middle School