From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
Why not?
This year, as we do every year, we are focusing our thinking around a picture book. We do this partly because it helps us encourage a lifelong love of reading, and also because picture books convey powerful messages through both their text and visuals which all our girls connect with.
This year we are grounded in the beautiful picture book Why Not? by Kobi Yamada, a story about discovering your bright possibilities. This is a text I used with our Year 6 leaders in their leadership induction service and it is a book all grades have in their common areas and we will refer to in assemblies throughout the year. I will be sharing insights into the book in our Term 1 JSPG meeting too and explaining how it is embedded across each grade to enrich the girls’ learning. Inspirational quotes from this book include:
Why not make the most of every moment?
Be a stranger to the ordinary. Get to know the unknown.
Why not try something you have never tried before?
Stay curious. Have adventures. Make room for what you love.
Why not see how good your best can be?
Even if the odds are a million to one. Why not be the one?
In the spirit of Why Not? I encourage you to consider making a short video on your phones and sending it in via this this link to be part of our International Women’s Day video where we will share our collective hopes for the girls and their world. Thank you to those families who have already created and uploaded their video message.
Good luck to all our swimmers in Years 3 to 6 for the swimming carnival tomorrow. I look forward to seeing many of you there to cheer on the girls as they challenge themselves with having a go and trying their best for themselves and their house.
Good luck to all our girls in the music program who are in for our band intensive this weekend. Thank you to our amazing Performing Arts team and music tutors who are leading these workshops.
A message and request for help from our Performing Arts team
We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Year 5 Showcase. Students will embark on a journey of discovery through traditional dances and songs from around the world. This special event will celebrate the beauty and diversity of global cultures through movement, music and storytelling.
To make this showcase meaningful, we are reaching out to our wonderful Junior School parent community for volunteers with experience or knowledge of traditional dances and songs from different cultures. Whether it’s the graceful Chinese fan dance, rhythmic Indian dance or any other rich cultural tradition, we would love for you to share your expertise with our students!
Your participation will give our students a hands-on, immersive learning opportunity that fosters respect and appreciation for different cultures. No professional experience is necessary – just a willingness to share and celebrate your heritage!
If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please fill out your details HERE. All volunteers must have a current working with children’s check.
Thank you for your support in making this a memorable and enriching experience for our Year 5 students. We greatly appreciate your time, talents, and cultural contributions!
A message from Mrs Lara Bird, Deputy Head of Junior School – Academic
Junior School girls will have the exciting opportunity to participate in a range of enrichment activities designed to challenge and inspire them across various subjects. These experiences – both inside and outside the classroom – foster creativity, encourage critical thinking, problem solving, and explore student interests in meaningful ways.
Some opportunities will require students to submit an expression of interest, while others will be school selected based on student data. Various competitions are offered to different year groups, with some open to all students or a small group of students, and others open to specific grades. Students will be informed about competitions during assemblies or through their Compass teacher.
When it comes to writing and creative expression, students can take part in competitions such as Pens Against Poverty, the Write On Competition and the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Competition. These competitions encourage young writers to express their thoughts, emotions and ideas while refining their writing skills and engaging with meaningful themes. From Week 7, girls are able to submit their work – a short story, poem or artwork in the OzKids In Print Competition. Details on how to enter will be provided in the Week 7 newsletter.
This term the girls in Year 4 will be offered to submit an expression of interest to be part of the Creative Writing Club where a select group of students will be working with Mrs Brown and myself developing their creative writing skills. Year 5 students can apply to be part of the Sokratis Junior Research Program, working with Dr Sarah Loch, Director of the Pymble Institute and myself, and students in Year 6 can apply to be part of the Shark Tank Competition.
For those passionate about mathematics, a variety of problem solving and investigative challenges will be available. Students may be selected to participate in the APSMO Maths Olympiad, APSMO Mathematics Explorer or the Mathematics Association of New South Wales (MANSW) Investigating in Maths Competition, which promote deep mathematical thinking. Additionally, the Newton Maths competition will be offered to select students in Year 6. ICAS and Australian Maths Trust will also be offered later in the year for students in Years 3 to 6.
These enrichment opportunities will help students extend their learning and develop confidence in their abilities in a stimulating and supportive environment.
If you have any questions about competitions, please email me lbird@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.
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 Wednesdays and Fridays in Term 1, Junior School allows students to purchase (through Flexischools) cold drinks and frozen desserts. Once your order is placed your daughter will receive a brown paper bag, where she will go to the Junior School Canteen (lunch tub room) to collect her cold treat.
Please click here if you can volunteer your time. 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 WWCC on file, please email to juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au your WWCC number and date of birth so your WWCC can be verified.
Departure: Daily Routines
For those with daughters in Kindergarten to Year 2, your daughter’s Compass teacher will receive your daughter’s after-school arrangements each day from the travel master list, to assist your daughter 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 to remember 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 the Senior 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.
Term 1 Key Dates (Weeks 2 and 3)
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
Monday 17 February – Allwell Testing – Year 3 – 8.30am to 1.30pm
Wednesday – 19 February – Allwell Testing – Year 5 – 8.30pm to 12.30pm
From the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG)
Years 3 to 6 Junior School Swimming Carnival – Friday 14 February
Parents are welcome to attend and support their daughter/s. We encourage parents to wear a touch of their daughters House colour and get into the House spirit with the girls.
Refreshments for parents are available from Archie’s Café. Lunch orders are available for the girls as usual.
Please note this is a full school day and there are no early departures for students.
Welcome to 2024 – Icebreaker Invitation – Friday 21 February
Don’t forget to book your tickets for the Pymble Parent Association (PPA) Icebreaker on Friday 21 February! It’s a fantastic parent-only evening to catch up with friends, meet new families, and enjoy canapés and drinks on Gloucester Lawn.
📅 Date: Friday 21 February
⏰ Time: 6.45pm to 9.00pm
📍 Location: Gloucester Lawn
💰 Cost: $52.00 (includes a cocktail dinner)
Babysitting Available
Junior School students can be dropped off at OSHC from 6.30pm to 8.30pm for a G-rated movie and craft activities (no food provided). Click here to register.
Transportation support
The school is offering a complimentary bus service to drop parents off at Pymble Hotel or Turramurra Station after the event. If you’d like to use this service, please click here to complete the online form.
Upcoming Events
Kindy KO Class 1st Playdate Afternoon
Join us for a fun afternoon at St Ives Showgrounds.
📅 Sunday 16 February
⏰ 1.00 PM
Please check the flyer for more details.
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
As you can see, we are off to a flying start for 2025!
We hope you enjoy meeting your daughter’s new compass teacher/s at the Parent Information Evening this Thursday 13 February. After your session, please head to the lawn behind Hedgehog House, where you can meet and socialise with other parents for a short time.
Please contact us with any questions at pymblelcjspg@gmail.com
Kate Brown
Head of Junior School