From the Middle School
Last week during chapel our Communications Leaders – Yenyu Chan (Year 7) and Sophie Kidd (Year 8) – presented a very exciting initiative to our Middle School community. Throughout Term 3, in an attempt to celebrate and recognise the richness of our families, we will be surveying students and collecting data around cultural diversity and languages spoken at home. From the results collected we will be inviting students to get involved in the design and construction of a number of Middle School street signs that display a welcome message in all the relevant languages. This will be a colourful way to showcase our culture of inclusion. Over the coming weeks we will share our progress through student reflections.
Our annual Athletics Carnival was a beautiful day filled with house spirit and an incredible display of sporting prowess across the field. Congratulations to all the athletes who participated throughout the day. Middle School student engagement was impressive as always, with girls competing across all levels sharing their talents and determination. A special acknowledgement to those girls who have committed hours of training to their chosen specialty. Whether you broke a record, achieved a PB or not, we are proud of how you represented the Middle School and your house. Hopefully a day such as this encourages all the girls to focus on having a healthy balance across their week; where they mix physical activity and academic pursuits in a way that optimises their mind, body, spirit and sense of wellbeing.
On Tuesday the college celebrated Reconciliation Week with a whole school assembly marking the occasion. Girls were invited to “wear it yellow” in support of Children’s Ground charity. A Middle School video showcasing the work of our Year 8 First Nations Cultures elective students, was confidently introduced by Maddie Gabila & Silka Czyniewski. Followed by a guest speaker presentation from one of our impressive 2023 Indigenous graduates.
On Thursday Year 7 and 8 students spent time focusing on responsible use of technology. YSAFE delivered an engaging and provocative session highlighting:
- Managing Toxic Online Behaviours & Online Conflict
- Sexting & the Law
- Developing Digital Wellbeing
This week’s Mind Body Spirit Compass Curriculum lesson teased out the learning inviting open discussion and reflection on the information shared. A follow up parent session is scheduled for this evening. Click here to register for the webinar. We hope that you are able to attend and that the information is useful.
Rubik’s Cube Club Update
On Sunday 19 May I went to a Speed Cubing Australia competition at the Tramsheds. It was a lot of fun, however it was not as big as the other competitions with only 100 competitors. I competed in the 3x3x3 Rubik’s Cube category, achieving a personal best of 26.53 seconds, which is ten seconds faster than last year.
I have learnt lots of new algorithms and Skewb 18.11, and I now have a world ranking for Skewb which is exciting. The Rubik’s Cube club runs every Week B on Monday lunchtimes in C10. Come along and solve lots of different puzzles, make new friends and have loads of fun. I hope to see you there!
Written by Bella Legge-Hughes (Year 8)
Key Dates
Thursday 30 May – ySafe Parent Webinar
Thursday 6 June – Year 7 Zoo Excursion
Monday 10 June – King’s Birthday public holiday
Friday 28 June – Last day of Term
From the Middle School Parent Groups
Year 7
Mother and Daughter Day at Vision Valley
Sunday 16 June, 9.00am to 3.00pm.
Please sign up using the form on the portal. However, due to capacity restrictions at Vision Valley, the event is limited to the first 50 mothers and daughters that register. Activities include canoeing, archery, a great race, morning tea and lunch. It should be lots of fun!
PPA Trivia Night
Saturday 22 June, 6.30pm to 10.30pm
Join other Year 7 parents at one of the best events in the parent calendar!
The trivia night is fabulous fun and a chance to mix with parents across the whole school. This year is being held at exclusive function centre Miramare Gardens, so it will be an amazing function to be a part of.
Optional dress-up theme: Pop Rock Stars!
The entertainment also includes a DJ and photographer. Please note Year 7 is currently the largest year group attending the trivia night! Let’s make it even bigger and better, come along and join us and we’ll allocate you to a table! Click here to purchase your tickets. It’s guaranteed to be a sensational night!
Year 8
Year 8 Coffee Morning
We look forward to holding the next Year 8 coffee morning on Friday 7 June at Brick Lane Expresso in West Pymble from 8.00am.
If you would like to meet for coffee, please vote in the ‘WhatsApp Poll’ which will be set up on Tuesday 4 June in the Year 8 chat group.
PPA Trivia Night
Don’t miss out on what is one of the most enjoyable parent events in the year!
The Trivia Night is being held at the beautiful Miramare Gardens function centre from 6.30pm with the optional dress up theme for the evening, “Pop & Rock Stars”.
We are currently organising Year 8 tables and would love you to join in the fun. Please register for the event and we will seat you with the Year 8 cohort. 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. 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 and 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).
Years 7 and 8 are collecting items to fill a luxurious basket ‘For the Mums’. Examples of special items for mums include candles, perfumes, lotions, vouchers for facials etc. Items, apart from alcohol, can be dropped off at the Middle School office and will be held there securely. Alternatively, please get in touch and we can help.
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