From the Junior School
A Message from Mrs Kate Brown, Head of Junior School
As we come to the end of term I have reflected with the girls in assemblies about the many ways in which they have shown respect this term. These include an increase in good manners on display with many more ‘good mornings’, ‘please’ and ‘thank yous’, less rubbish on our playground and more initiatives suggested and led by the girls than ever before. Thank you, girls, for being so respectful and kind this term.
Year 3 at Vision Valley
Our Year 3s showed their respect for each other, the environment and themselves as they challenged themselves with their first overnight Outdoor Education program this week. The girls loved connecting with nature through bushwalks, collecting sticks to use whilst toasting damper and creating bush art. They challenged themselves with Donkey Kong, Sugar Glider and the water slide and for many of them this was their first night away from home. I was lucky enough to spend time out there with the girls and I was so impressed by the way they encouraged one another to have a go, to step up into leadership opportunities, try new food and even get some sleep at night! Thank you to their families for setting them up for success with this brave step into overnight Outdoor Education.
Year 3 Strings Ensemble
Yesterday, our amazing Year 3 strings ensemble performed for parents and teachers as part of their graduation. The girls showed courage and a strong sense of team as they played beautifully together and showcased a range of pieces from the toe tapping Under the Jamaican Sun to a lullaby and a lament. Thank you to Ms Lucia Bain and Mrs Narelle Colby for guiding the girls throughout the year and empowering them to be performance professionals and justifiably proud of their progress. Congratulations girls on your stunning performance.
Kindergarten Windows into Learning
Tomorrow, we celebrate Kindergarten with their Windows into Learning and picnic. I look forward to connecting with many families at this special event. I know the girls have been working hard and are excited to showcase their learning.
Relax and Recharge
Next term is a dynamic one with our beloved PJ Factor and many special showcases of both curriculum and co-curricular learning. As it’s a short term with lots of learning to engage with, it’s important our girls have space and time to relax over the holidays to enable them to come back ready to seize the learning opportunities ahead.
Farewell to an OSHC legend
As we come to the end of term, we will soon farewell Jayna Lee who has been an integral part of our OSHC leadership team for many years. With nine years of dedicated service to our community, Jayna will be sorely missed by all of us although we wish her luck and success in her journey ahead as a classroom teacher. Thank you, Jayna, for the kindness, care, creativity and compassion you have brought to so many girls over so many years.
Looking ahead to Term 4
As we come back together in Term 4 and in summer uniform, please may I ask families check how much their daughter has grown over the winter and spring months. It’s important our girls show their respect to the College and wear their uniform with pride…so please check the length of summer dresses!
I wish you all happy holidays and for those who are travelling, safe travels. I look forward to being back together in a few weeks.
A Message from Year 5 student – Visit from Dr Fell from Lunaria One, discussion about plants on the moon!
Today, Dr Fell from Lunaria One visited Year 4 and Year 5 students to talk about the ALEPH project which stands for the Australian Lunar Experiment Promoting Horticulture. Dr Fell and her team of engineers and biologists are going to send a payload of seeds to the moon in 2026! The seeds being sent to the moon are from the resurrection grass plant which is native to Australia.
Dr Fell also spoke to us about an Australian designed rover called the Roo-ver which will go to the moon on a future NASA Artemis mission. This rover was designed, engineered and named in Australia.
I loved todays visit from Dr Fell. It was so inspiring to hear her stories and examples of perseverance to find solutions in STEM. She put great emphasis on believing that there is always an answer to a problem. Listening to her talking about her mission was truly amazing and a gift.
Thank you so much Dr Fell for coming to talk to us. We really appreciated your time and effort. Good luck next year. We can’t wait to hear how the launch goes!
Annette – Year 5
PJ Factor 2025 – Mr Kurt Schweinberger
The wait is over – PJ Factor is back for 2025! Junior School students from Years 3 – 6 are ready to shine as they dream up bold, creative, and entertaining performances. We can’t wait to see the fun, laughter, and talent they’ll bring to the stage!
Students may enter ONCE as either a soloist or as part of a small group. All students that participate will receive House Points.
Heats will commence Monday 20 October (Term 4, Week 2). All heats will be held at lunch in the John Reid Hall.
- Week 2 Monday 20 October
- Week 2 Tuesday 21 October
- Week 2 Wednesday 22 October
- Week 2 Thursday 23 October
- Week 3 Monday 27 October
- Week 3 Tuesday 28 October
Following the heats, a selection of solo and group performances, will be chosen to perform at the finals in the Gym on Wednesday 19 November.
When preparing a performance, students need to consider the following points:
- My performance does not exceed 2 minutes
- My performance is appropriate for my age (parents need to work with their daughter to create a performance that is indicative of their respective age)
Please see the student sign-up links below.
- Solo performance: Click HERE
- Group performance: Click HERE (Confirming only one submission per group is needed)
To help streamline the process, parents will select their daughter’s performance day. This will ensure students are allocated a day that works within their schedule. Click HERE to book your daughter’s solo or group item. When you open up the booking page, please make sure you change the month to October.
Registrations close Tuesday 14 October (Term 4, Week 1).
If you have any questions, please speak with Miss Farlow or one of the Junior School Performing Arts teachers. We look forward to celebrating the creativity and joy of our Junior School students as they step into the spotlight.
Parent checklist
- My daughter’s performance does not exceed 2 minutes.
- My daughter’s performance is appropriate for ALL students in Years 3 – 6.
- I have completed either the SOLO or GROUP performance registration sheet (Google Doc).
- I have uploaded the relevant backing track to the Google Doc (please no emails with song files or links).
- I have booked a performance time.
A message from Sustainability Club – Miss Avalon Treharne
Last week in Sustainability Club we focused on Kindness to the Environment (as always) and Kindness to Others.
Our Sustainability Club rolled up their sleeves for a fantastic cleanup of the main oval, helping to get it looking fresh and clean just in time for the Garden Party. After their hard work, the students enjoyed a well-deserved picnic together, celebrating their efforts and the beautiful warm weather.
In addition to their outdoor efforts, the club also took the lead in collecting the generous clothing donations from our school community. These items have now been carefully organised and delivered to Vinnies, where they will provide valuable support to those in need. We extend a heartfelt thank you to all families and staff who contributed, your kindness and generosity truly make a difference! Special thank you to Mrs Thomas regularly gives her time to support Vinnie’s who helped run the clothing collection.
Deputy of Head of Junior School – Operations: Mr Stephen Robinson
School and Co-curricular Attendance
A reminder to families that regular full attendance at school is essential for all students. When a child is sick and unable to attend school, they are precluded from attending after school co-curricular activities. Should students have appointments during the school day, please ensure they are at school by 11.45am in order to attend co-curricular activities.
Name Badges
It is a requirement in the Junior School that all students wear their name badges each day. To ensure this, all students are provided with their initial two badges free of cost. Each term, teachers audit name badges and replacements are ordered, with costs charged to family accounts.
Note: As Year 6 students enter their final term of Junior School, we will only require them to have one badge to wear.
Message from Junior School Administration Office
A reminder to email juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au when your daughter is late or needs to leave early. Please continue to use MyPymble to mark your daughter absence. For two days or more absence, please complete the Exemption from Attendance at School form or email though a medical certificate for illness.
Term 4 Afterschool Arrangements
For girls in K-2, please email any changes for Term 4 to the Junior School office juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au and advise if this is permanent or casual changes your daughters arrangements . Please note that it is important that any changes to travel arrangements are received prior to 2.00pm.
Girls in Years 3-6 are responsible to remember where they need to go after school each day, please update your daughter’s diary with her Term 4 after school arrangements to assist her to remember where to go each afternoon.
After school arrangements for girls in Years K-2, please email juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au if you have changes to your daughter’s after school arrangements in Term 3.
Important Dates for Term 3 – Week 10
| Tomorrow | Kindergarten Windows into Learning and picnic,11.30am-12.30pm Last Day of Term 3 |
Important Dates for your diary Term 4 – week 1 and 2
| Tuesday 14 October | First Day of Term 4, Summer Uniform including white hat (unless it is a PE day) |
| Friday 24 October | Year 7 2026 Links Day, Junior School Links Day 2026 |
| Saturday 25 October | IPSHA Saturday Sport and |
| Tuesday 28 October | JSPG Term 4 meeting and AGM |
| Friday 31 October | Grandparents Event 12.30pm-2.00pm |
| Saturday 1 November | IPSHA Saturday Sport |
| Thursday 27 November | Year 6 Chapel, Celebration of Learning and Morning Tea |
| Tuesday 2 December | Years 3-6 Speech Day 9.00am – 11.00am Kindergarten Celebration of Learning and Nativity 11.30am – 1.00pm Years 1 and Year 2 Celebration of Learning 2.00pm – 3.00pm |
| Wednesday 3 December | Last day of Term 4 |