From the Upper School
A message from Mr. Riley, Head of Upper School
We have been working hard on Pymble gives back in the Upper School this week with students helping at the Goodooga Indigenous Games and our Year 10 Music Elective Class performing for Easy Care Gardening’s 35th Anniversary High Tea. We have also been busy planning our Year 9 Service Days for Week 5 and share Ellie, Adelaide and Annabel’s reflections on their time helping St Edmund’s with their Athletics Carnival at Pymble late last week.
It was a pleasure to perform at the Easy-Care Gardening’s 35th anniversary high tea alongside my incredibly talented peers from the Year 10 Elective Music class. Boasting a richly diverse line-up of music, ranging from opera, to piano, clarinet, trumpet and a “The Greatest Showman” number, the senior members of our community watched in awe of the passion and dedication of students written clearly in their art. In attendance also included the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ku-ring-gai Shire Council, as well as the State Member of Parliament who gave inspiring speeches and enjoyed the music provided by us. We are incredibly grateful to be given this opportunity to practice taking the stage but more importantly, to give back. This was all made possible through the support of our teacher Ms Zeltzer and Mrs Seymour who took such great care of us!
Written by Ella Liu (Year 10)
Last Tuesday, 20 Year 10’s and I had the wonderful pleasure of assisting the St. Edmund’s School with their exciting athletics carnival. Throughout the day, we engaged with multiple students and experienced an endless amount of laughter and happiness. Personally, I was in charge of presenting the First Place Ribbons to the runners. Seeing the students running their hearts out, crossing the line, and receiving a bright blue ribbon was extremely heart warming and wholesome. It certainly brightened my day! Also, seeing the effort and dedication they had to not only finish the race but to succeed in it, as well as sharing the moments of celebration with them, felt so rewarding and uplifting. I would absolutely do this experience again and definitely recommend it to my Pymble peers to volunteer for any St Edmund’s activities!
Written by Adelaide Taylor (Year 10)
Last week, I had the privilege of volunteering for St Edmund’s during their athletics carnival. Interacting with the students while overseeing the agility course filled me with immense joy. The atmosphere was brimming with positivity as teachers and students displayed unwavering support throughout the day. This experience not only brought fun but also valuable lessons in effective communication and the power of support. Engaging with the students taught me the importance of inclusivity and lending a hand where needed. I am very grateful for this experience, which underscored the significance of fostering connections and spreading positivity within our community.
Written by Annabel Charnock (Year 10)
I was blessed with the opportunity to go to the Goodooga Games with five other Year 9 girls and experience Walgett, Goodooga and Brewarrina. Some of my most memorable moments includes: my time at St Joseph’s School; taking an Indigenous Language class and connecting with the children in Years 1 to 6 and making new friends along the way. Brewarrina Aboriginal Cultural Museum showed us the world’s oldest man-made structure… the fish traps! Everyone’s highlight was the Goodooga Games. With so many schools coming together, the disco included fun moments and bonding experiences. The Goodooga hot springs were a bonus for us to relax in after a long day of travel.
Written by Jahle Tez (Year 9)
Elsewhere our final exchange student, Fukoko, arrived to much fanfare this week from Japan, and in Language Arts, Jenny Xu (Year 9) progressed through to the next round of the Legacy competition!
Finally, in keeping with Dr H’s message of improved sleep for the term, I share an excellent resource developed by renowned speaker and past-Pymble parent Glen Gerryn. This might serve as the touch paper for an important dinner table conversation, perhaps for both students and parents if my sleep is anything to go by!
From the Upper School Parent Group
Save the Date: Mother and Daughter Day at Vision Valley
Year 10 Zoe Green bzgreen@bigpond.net.au
Pamela McPherson bruceandpam@bigpond.com
Year 9 Monika Surana monsisurana@yahoo.co.in
Christel Vigne vignechristel@gmail.com
Social media community groups:
PymbleLC Parents Class of 2025 (Facebook for year 10)
PymbleLC Parents Class of 2026 (Facebook for year 9)
PymbleLC USPG 2023 (Facebook for all Upper School parents)
Or please contact us for an invite to a WeChat group or Dads WhatsApp group.
Key Term 3 Dates
Friday 11 August – YSafe talk to Year 10
13 to 19 August – Year 8 National Exchange
Wednesday 16 August – Music Scholars Concert in Chapel
Friday 25 August – Year 7 to 12 igsa Athletics Carnival
Friday 1 September – K-12 Father’s Day Lunch
Wednesday 6 September – Year 9 Subject Selection for 2024
11 to 15 September – Year 8 Outdoor Education
Saturday 16 September – Garden Party
Wednesday 20 September – Year 10 RYDA Excursion
Thursday 21 September – Year 10 Drama Showcase
Friday 22 September – Last day of Term 3
Jenny O’Donnell
Head of Middle School