From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
Welcome to 2025! The girls arrived for the start of the term and year last Friday with huge smiles, positive spirits and excitement for their learning adventures. They are definitely all set to Come Alive in 2025 which is our Head Prefects’ theme for the year.
We warmly welcome all our new families. We are so glad you have joined our Junior School community of kindness and I look forward to getting to know you all more over the coming weeks. Please know that we are keen to connect with you all, so we grow as a community and our girls grow and learn in a strong, supportive sisterhood where we celebrate our uniqueness and respect the perspectives, stories, culture and strengths of each other.
This year, as a Junior School I am asking the girls to respect themselves and challenge themselves. Inspired by my reading of the wonderful picture book Why Not? by Kobi Yamada, I am challenging the girls to be curious in their learning, to wonder and question. I am encouraging them to seek out challenge and to find ways they can leave the world better than they found it.
Our Junior School continues to have a key focus on the power of kindness as I believe this is a critical strength in the world today as there our world continues to face conflict, concern and trauma. If we can empower our girls to walk through life with kindness, they will change the world. This kindness needs to start within themselves. As we focus on kindness to self in Term 1, we want each girl to notice her passions and to know or discover what makes her the extraordinary young person we know her to be.
The power of kindness – Kindness to Self
We want each of our girls to be kind to themselves, and to:
- respect herself, her mind and her body, and know she is loved for who she is;
- be prepared to challenge her thinking and approach problems and mistakes she makes in her learning with a resilient mindset, trusting her capabilities;
- face the unknown with creativity and courage, knowing she has the strength to explore things beyond the ordinary; and
- have enough sleep each night so she can embrace her learning opportunities with enthusiasm and a mind ready to learn.
Together with the girls, we will explore the many ways we can be kind to ourselves, and we hope the girls celebrate themselves for the extraordinary energy and heart they bring to our school.
I also encourage each of you to be as brave as your daughters and reach out to someone you don’t know yet and have a chat with them… it could be the start of a wonderful new friendship! If you don’t already have it booked in your diary, please note our College Icebreaker, a wonderful community event on Friday 21 February.
A huge shout out to all our Kindergarten parents who modelled bravery last Friday as they sent their daughters off on their first day of school and then chatted with new friends they were making for themselves over a cup of coffee.
Congratulations to Year 6
This week our Year 6 girls were inducted as our Junior School leaders. Whilst some girls have specific leadership portfolios, all our Year 6 girls collectively lead many aspects of the tone and culture in our Junior School, and they have each considered the impact they want to have this year.
Making history – The launch of Formula Goblin
Last weekend an intrepid group of pioneers in Year 6 launched our first racing team! Based around Formula 1, Greenpower has launched the Formula Goblin competition where teams race a green-powered, electric car.
Our girls will design, build, maintain and drive the car, and also manage the media and marketing of their team. They will handle all aspects of building a racing team and trying to encourage others to join their racing community.
The girls are making history as they are the first team in mainland Australia to join the Greenpower racing community, and are looking for sponsors and other schools to build this community and healthy competition.
Thank you to these teachers who are supporting the girls in their mission: Ms Lyn Wynne, Mrs Heidi Lynch, Ms Jacqui Ng, Mrs Lara Bird, Mr Locky Pryor, Mr Shannon Thompson (Secondary School TAS assistant), Mr Iggy Sandejas (College Web Developer). A huge thanks to Mr Dan Brown, Head of STEM K-6 who is leading this initiative.
Congratulations to the following girls who make up our Formula Goblin team:
Bhuvika Bhatia – Team Manager
Emma Gan – Team Manager
Dora Chen – Design Team
Emma Deere – Design Team
Lucy Ma – Design Team
Gisele Ren – Design Team
Amy Zong – Design Team
Sana Iyer – Drive Team
Kiana Rad – Drive Team
Afra Sarchami – Drive Team
Emily Walker – Drive Team
Madeline Chen – Pit Crew
Katie Shen – Pit Crew
Mia Farthing – Pit Crew
Aisha Younus – Pit Crew
Ellie Zhang – Pit Crew
Caroline Liu – Media and Marketing Team
Claire Shuai – Media and Marketing Team
Vivian Wang – Media and Marketing Team
Anaiya Patel – Media and Marketing Team
Christina Yang – Media and Marketing Team
A message from Mr Stephen Robinson – Deputy Head of Junior School – Operations
Critical Medical Information
As part of the College’s commitment to keep all students safe, it is vital that we have all requisite information and medication relating to allergies and medical conditions. It is imperative that information shared with the school is complete and up to date for our staff and nurses to ensure optimal care is provided for your daughter when they are on campus. If your daughter suffers from anaphylaxis or asthma, please register the action plan with the College and provide all the necessary medication. Further information can be obtained from our Health Care team or from Junior School administration.
Nut Allergies
Please ensure that your daughter’s food does not contain any nuts as some of our students have severe allergies to food containing nuts and nut products. This includes spreads such as peanut butter and Nutella.
Birthday Treats
If you would like to send in birthday treats for your daughter and her class please limit this to either small (mini) cupcakes or ice blocks (Zooper Doopers) only. Please only supply for your daughter’s class (not the whole grade). If your daughter has allergies please make arrangements directly with your class teacher. We ask that you do not send in presents/party bags for the girls to school as these distract the girls from their learning – presents/party bags are lovely for parties at home!
Junior School Canteen Helpers
On Wednesday and Friday in Term 1, Junior School allows students to purchase cold drinks and frozen desserts through Flexischools. Once your order is placed your daughter will have a brown paper bag, where she will go to the Junior School Canteen (lunch tub room) to collect her cold treat.
We are seeking help from parents from across the Junior School to assist on Wednesdays and Fridays between 12.15pm and 1.130pm with the sorting of lunch orders and handing cold drinks/frozen treats that have been pre-ordered. Should you be willing to assist, please click here to express interest. We are initially limiting the form to only accept one submission per person, to share this opportunity with all members of the community.
Note: There will be no cash or card purchases. Items are only available for pre-purchase via the Junior School Flexischools app. Years 5 and 6 may use this facility, or access Archie’s Café as normal.
Parents should also be aware that as we commence our Compass lunch trial, where students will eat their lunch within classrooms of a Monday and Friday, students in Year 5 and Year 6 will not be able to access Archie’s until 1.05pm. It is therefore recommended that they order their hot meal through Flexischools and visit Archie’s for cold drinks and treats.
For the care and safety of your daughters, all volunteers must have a current Working with Children Check Number (WWCC). If we do not already have your information on file, please email your WWCC number and date of birth to juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au so it can be verified.
Car Line
Thank you for your patience with car line over these first two weeks whilst we begin our regular afternoon routines. For parents of girls in Kindergarten to Year 2, please do not arrive before 2.30pm in the afternoon. Girls are escorted to car line after the conclusion of the school day at 2.45pm. We do our best to ensure drop off and pick up is a smooth process but we need your help!
Please remain in your car displaying your daughter’s name as you approach the collection area. Parents are asked not to exit their vehicles as staff will assist the girls in getting into their cars. Please note that this is a single lane and drivers must wait for the car in front to depart rather than exiting the car line lane. Parents may be asked to go around the car line again if their daughter is delayed. Please follow teacher instructions in car line so we can keep all our girls and staff safe.
If you are delayed in collecting your daughter, she will be taken to Out of School Hours Care until your arrival so we can keep her safe and she can play with friends.
Afternoon Departure Procedures
It is vitally important that students are well supervised in the afternoon and that the College is aware of student movement, as so we can support students and ensure their safety.
- Grey House Walk: Students who exit the campus via Grey House Walk must do so with a parent or carer. If they are meeting the parent on the street, or walking to a nearby house, they must carry an authorised Grey House Pass provided by the Junior School office. Students who do not have a pass, will need to wait with the teacher or at the Junior School office for later collection.
- Collection via Grandview Street: Students in Years 3 to 6 who wish to be collected from Grandview Street or walk home to a nearby residence are required to carry a Grandview Street Pass. This will be shown to the Junior School teacher on duty at the station overpass. Students without a pass will return with the teacher to the Junior School for later collection.
Departure: Daily Routines
For those with daughters in Kindergarten to Year 2, her Compass teacher will receive your daughters’ after-school arrangements each day from the travel master list, to assist her in getting to her correct location after school.
Girls in Years 3 to 6 are responsible to remember where they need to go after school each day. Please use your daughter’s diary to assist her in remembering where to go each afternoon.
Any changes to these routines must be sent in writing to the Junior School office juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au. Please note that it is important that any changes to travel arrangements are received prior to 2.00pm.
For girls with older sisters, they must wait at the Junior School Library until their sister collects them by 3.30pm, or at OSHC if they have a sister in Secondary School.
Girls Traveling on College Buses
Girls wait in the K-2 School Office and are supervised until 3.00pm when they are walked to Sunshine Square to join the Year 3 to 6 girls. All Junior School girls are then walked to James Kelso Field by a teacher, where they will then board the bus.
A reminder that all students travelling on the Pymble bus service must have a current registration. Please click here to register your daughter.
Lost Property
Please check that all your daughter’s items are named, including socks, hats, lunch boxes and drink bottles. All unnamed items are stored in the K-2 Upper Performing Arts Room.
Student Charge and Additional Costs for 2025
Please be aware of the following costs that will be incurred if replacement items are required throughout the year:
- Hair Ribbons $1.50
- Tights $10.00
- Socks $10.00
- Student ID Card $15.00
- Y5/6 Locker Padlock $35.00
- Diary $17.15
- Lunchtime sandwich $8.20
- Gluten-free sandwich $9.20
- Sandwich, fruit and water $12.00
Term 1 Key Dates (Weeks 2 and 3)
Thursday 13 February – Academic Series (K-2 Reading) 4.00pm to 4.30pm
Thursday 13 February – Sport and Academics Parent Session 4.30pm to 5.00pm
Thursday 13 February Parent Information Evening
- Kindy and Year 6 5.00pm – 5.50pm
- Year 1/2/3 5.50pm – 6.40pm
- Years 4/5 6.40pm – 7.30pm
- Year 1/2/3 5.50pm – 6.40pm
Thursday 13 February – JSPG Parent Gathering 5.00pm to 7.30pm
Friday 14 February – Years 3 to 6 Swimming Carnival
Friday 14 February – Kindergarten Portrait photo day and catch-up photo day
Saturday 15 February – Years 4 to 6 Band Camp and Year 3 String Intensive Day
Sunday 16 February – Years 4 to 6 Band Camp and Year 3 String Intensive Day
Save the date: 2025 Intercultural Festival
From the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG)
Welcome Back!
A warm welcome back to all our Pymble families, and a special welcome to those joining us for the first time this year. We hope you had a wonderful summer break and are ready for an exciting year ahead!
A big thank you to our Junior School administration team for providing the list of Junior School and JSPG events in MyPymble this week. We hope this helps you plan for the year ahead.
Join Your Year Group’s WhatsApp Chat
To stay connected, we encourage parents to join their Year Group WhatsApp chats. From there, you’ll also find links to your child’s class group.
Your 2025 Year Coordinators
• Kindergarten: Emma Kerle and Dee Jolapara
• Year 1: Bill Chen and Tara & Prad Navaratnam
• Year 2: Yan Lin and Colleen Zhang
• Year 3: Grace Gao and Jullian Lu
• Year 4: Lynn Morrison and Shweta Chauhan
• Year 5: Fatimah Khamash and Liz Greene
• Year 6: Lalenya Waterhouse and Jennifer Sproull
Upcoming Events
Year 5 Dads & Daughters Barefoot Bowls Afternoon
Join us for a fun afternoon at West Pymble Bicentennial Club!
📅 Sunday, 16 February
⏰ 2.00pm
Please check the flyer for more details.
Save the Date: Kindy Easter Egg Hunt
Hop on over for some Easter fun!
📅 Sunday 23 March
📍 Bicentennial Park, West Pymble
Please see the flyer for details and RSVP to your Year Coordinators.
JSPG Meeting – All Parents Welcome!
We invite all Junior School parents and carers to join our first JSPG Meeting of the year. This is a great opportunity to connect and hear about plans for 2025.
📅 Wednesday 26 February
⏰ 8.30am to 9.30am
📍 3-6 Junior School Library
For any questions, feel free to reach out to us at pymblelcjspg@gmail.com .
We hope everyone has a fantastic first week back, and we look forward to a wonderful year ahead!
Kate Brown
Head of Junior School