From the Junior School

A Message from Mrs Kate Brown, Head of Junior School

Last Friday, we celebrated the courage, enthusiasm and skills of our Kindergarten – Year 2 students with their swimming carnival. Congratulations to all the girls who swam and showcased their spirit and confidence as swimmers. 

Today, we celebrate our oldest girls with our Year 6 Chapel graduation service and their showcase of learning. Wow! The effort and depth of research and understanding evidenced by the girls in their chosen topic was impressive. Whilst we are sad to farewell them, they are ready for all that Year 7 offers and we are so proud of them all.

Thank you to all our parents who were able to attend our Year 4 and 5 Windows into Learning and then our DREAM Diploma launch. It was an exciting morning full of drones, advertisements and dreams! We are excited to be partnering with the Jane Goodall Institute through the DREAM Diploma and were honoured that some of their dignitaries flew from Malaysia to support the Diploma launch. 

Podcasters 

Congratulations to these girls who have been selected to represent the Junior School in a partnership with Grow Your Mind. This group of girls will write, edit and then record a script working alongside professional podcasters and therefore learning industry skills as they convey an important message of kindness to self. Look out for the podcast which will be released across Australia in mid 2026. Here are our first ever professional podcast team: 

Adriana Chen, Priscilla Fang, Tiffany Gu, Ariel Lee, Crystal Li, Jianing Li, Yumeng Li, Melanie Lin, Doris Liu, Riya Narayanan, Annette Ng, Batool Rangwala, Isabella Sherrah, Rachel Shi, Angela Sun, Virgina Tian, Celine Wang, Jessica Wang, Kimberly Zhao, Olivia Deng, Ellie Xu. 

A message from Kylie Latham, Year 5 Compass Teacher 

Our Year 5 students, together with their parents, engaged in two exciting real-world learning experiences as part of our Windows into Learning. To celebrate the upcoming launch of the DREAM Diploma in 2026, students created a three-course family meal while working within a $200 budget, using online shopping sites to estimate costs and quantities, with any unspent funds “donated” to the East Meru Community School to encourage thoughtful financial choices. In English, students applied their visual literacy skills by designing an advertisement for an everyday object, the humble pen! Students explained visual literacy elements such as salience, perspective, vectors, colour, text design and layout and explained how their design choices influenced consumers. Advertisements were hand-drawn on A4 paper and shared at the end of the session, showcasing the creativity, critical thinking and confidence of our learners as they collaborated with their families. 

A message from Imogen Kennett, Year 4 Compass Teacher 

Our Year 4 Windows into Learning on Monday was a truly special morning and a wonderful celebration of the girls’ learning. It was a joy to welcome parents into our classrooms and share an authentic snapshot of the rich thinking, creativity and collaboration that takes place each day here in the Junior School. The girls confidently articulated their ideas and demonstrated pride in their work as thoughtful, engaged learners. 

The morning began with a shared English lesson connected to Blueback by Tim Winton, where students explored sustainability, caring for Country and persuasive language. Together with their parents, the girls crafted mini-persuasive arguments about the importance of sustainable fishing, drawing clear links between literature and real-world environmental issues. This learning then flowed seamlessly into hands-on scientific investigations, including coding Micro:bits with sensors to test the soil in the Year 4 area, designing and testing LEGO Spikes for farming challenges and piloting drones to simulate modern agricultural practices. These experiences showcased the girls’ ability to apply critical thinking, problem solving and digital technologies to real world contexts and highlighted the power of integrated learning across subject areas. 

As we approach the final weeks of the girls’ time in Year 4, Windows into Learning was a beautiful celebration of their learning and growth, made even more special by sharing it alongside their families.  

A message from Mrs Tracy Reid, Year 3 Co-ordinator 

Our Year 3 girls had a fantastic and engaging visit to the Australian Maritime Museum on Wednesday 26 November. The clear highlight of the day was exploring the magnificent replica of the HMB Endeavour. Stepping aboard brought their learning about early navigators, explorers and traders to life and the girls were captivated by the stories, living conditions and craftsmanship of the vessel. 

They also enjoyed visiting the HMAS Vampire and discovering more about Australia’s naval history. It was a day filled with curiosity, hands on experiences and plenty of fun. The girls represented Pymble beautifully and returned to school buzzing with new knowledge and excitement about our History unit. 

Message from Lara Bird – Deputy Head of Junior School – Academics 

Stationery 

Please refer to the portal notice for 2026 stationery orders. Please place your order before Sunday 14 December to ensure that your daughter receives all stationery items before the start of the school year. Girls must have all items on the stationery list, however if you have items that are of the same quality and in good condition, you may use those items rather than purchasing new. Students are to bring in all stationery items on the first day of Term 1. 

Message from Kate Giles – Head of Wellbeing K-6 

2026 Compass Classes-   

As we come to the end of the year, we understand that change can sometimes be challenging for children, and this can bring a mix of excitement and uncertainty. To alleviate this uncertainty across the holiday break, your daughter will learn who her Compass Class teacher will be for 2026 tomorrow. They will then have the opportunity to meet their new teacher and Compass Class.  

Compass class placements for 2026 have been carefully considered by our teaching staff and many factors are taken into account to ensure that every girl is placed into an environment that supports her individual learning and development. While we are aware that both parents and students may have preferences, we ask for your trust and understanding in this process. Some ways you can support your daughter to feel comfortable and confident with her new class is:  

• Staying positive – encouraging your daughter by highlighting positive aspects of meeting new people. This can greatly influence how your daughter feels about the transition.  

• Reassuring her – if your daughter feels concerned about the change, reassure her that these feelings are normal. Remind her how she has successfully navigated new classes and changes in the past and the benefits of these experiences.  

• Communicate openly – allow your daughter the opportunity to share how she is feeling and help her to process their emotions without judgement.  

• Organise play dates with classmates in the new classes over the break where possible.   

We will now liaise with the JSPG Year coordinators for 2026 to set up new communication groups. 

Exodus Foundation Christmas Appeal 

As a part of our Jacaranda Day and Christmas celebrations, the College is supporting the Exodus Foundation Christmas Initiative. Thank you to all our Junior School families who have already donated items to the appeal. Should you still wish to donate, we are seeking gifts for children from students in K-2 (including items like puzzles, board games and Lego) and school supplies from students in 3-6 (including stationery, colouring sets, books or lunchboxes). These items can be brought to Hedgehog House where they will be boxed before sending to Exodus.  

Messages from Mr Stephen Robinson – Deputy of Head of Junior School – Operations 

End of Year Events 

The school year is fast coming to an end and as it does, there will be lots of opportunities to celebrate:Year 6 Disco and Parent Cocktail Party, tomorrow Friday 28 November from 6.30pm. Please ensure students wear enclosed shoes to this event.  

• Year 6 Water Fight, Monday 1 December from 2.30pm. Year 6 students will be wearing their regular school uniform as part of our end of year traditions. They can travel home wet or get changed. 

• Years 3-6 Speech Day, Tuesday 2 December at 9.00am. All students are to wear their full summer uniform. 

• At the end of this event, students must sign out with their teachers or remain at school until 3.00pm 

• Kindergarten Celebration of Learning and Nativity, Tuesday 2 December 11.30am. Students are to wear their full summer uniform under their costumes. 

• At the end of this event, students must sign out with their teachers or remain at school until 2.45pm 

• Year 1 and Year 2 Celebration of Learning, Tuesday 2 December 2.00pm. Students are to wear their full summer uniform. 

• Students will depart from Gloucester Lawn with parents. There will be no carline operating for Year 1 and Year 2. 

Wednesday 3 December is an optional attendance day. If at school: 

• K-2 students will be involved in wellbeing and STEM activities until lunch 

• 3-6 students will engage in a ‘day of service’ to the Junior School, supporting teachers with their move ahead of our relocation into the Grey House Precinct building and subsequent changes taking place. 

• Following lunch, all students have class celebrations with their 2025 Compass Teachers before a final farewell before the summer break. 

• If your daughter is absent from school on this day, please mark your daughter absent in MyPymble. 

Please be aware that all co-curricular activities end in Week 7. There are no activities in Week 8. 

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 the MyPymble app to mark your daughter absent. For any absence of two days or more, please complete the Exemption from Exemption from Attendance at School form, which you can download from MyPymble, or email through a medical certificate for illness. 

Important Dates for your diary Week 6 and Week 7 

Friday 28 November	Year 6 Disco and Parent Cocktail Party, Kindergarten Create a Memory Box
Monday 1 December	Year 6 Water fight fun afternoon

End of Year Junior School Celebration dates 

Tuesday 2 December	Years 3-6 Speech Day 9.00am – 11.00am Kindergarten Celebration of Learning and Nativity 11.30am – 1.00pm Year 1 and Year 2 Celebration of Learning 2.00pm – 3.00pm
Wednesday 3 December	Last day of Term 4