From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
The Power of Partnerships
Our girls are constantly impressing us all with their open mindedness and willingness to step outside their comfort zones to create partnerships. It was wonderful to see a number of our Junior School girls and their families at school on Sunday to support the Afghan Village initiative and to cheer on the teams who competed in a friendly soccer match. On Saturday, I watched some Year 5 hockey players willingly play for the opposing team who were struggling to field a full team. The girls committed to that team and played with integrity and gusto for those girls.
Last week our Year 5 girls showcased their emerging leadership skills as they partnered with Year 5 Riverview boys to build billy carts and to then compete in a series of courses throughout the day. Our girls immersed themselves in the construction of the billy carts, often acting as leaders for their group and ensuring all parties had equal voice and the chance to build their cart. I was particularly proud to see those girls who then partnered with the boys in driving the billy carts. Days like this are being deliberately planned by both schools to build learning partnerships and to encourage our respective students to view one another as equals.
An opportunity for our Year 4 Dads and their daughters
Coming up on Thursday 1 June 2023, I am thrilled that we will be launching our Tech Connect series. This event is an evening for Year 4 girls and their dads to partner together in building a robotised ‘worm’! The aim is to then watch as these ‘worms’ wriggle as fast as they can as they compete in our inaugural Inchworm Formula 1 competition. The evening promises to be full of STEM thinking, fun and special memories as you collaborate with your daughters on a shared engineering project.
We can offer this opportunity to 40 Year 4 Dads (or significant adult family member) and their daughters in our John Reid Hall from 6.00pm to 8.15pm. Please click here if you would like to attend this event. Please email juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au if you can no longer attend after the form is submitted.
Around the Grounds- Kate Giles, Lead Co-ordinator (K-3)
In English lessons this term the girls have been engaging with a wide range of literature and have been developing their listening skills and gaining confidence in their ability to form and express their own opinions while respecting the thoughts and ideas of others.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten have enjoyed reading a number of different books including Who is in a family? by Robert Skutch and My mum by Anthony Browne and exploring what family means. The girls have loved sharing photographs and pictures of their own families and asking and answering questions about each other’s families. They were interested to compare the similarities and differences between families, including numbers of adults, children and even pets.
Kindergarten have also been expanding their technological skills as they created their own bears in response to the story A Best Friend for Bear our amazing K-2 Teacher Librarian, Mrs Josephine Laretive, shared with them this week.
Year 1
Year 1 have enjoyed reading All are welcome by Alexandra Penfold and exploring belonging and inclusion by making connections with the text. They have keenly explored the characters with empathy, seeking to understand how they would feel through the use of the visible thinking routine ‘Step inside’. Integrating the Compass program which focuses on kindness and celebrates diversity and inclusion, the girls considered what they would include in a letter to welcome a family new to their neighbourhood.
“Dear New Friends,
Welcome to our country! We would love to know which country you come from and what language you speak. We are really excited to have you! You are very welcome in our country and in our homes. We are very happy to be your friend, do you want to be our friend? Would you like to have a play date with me? We are very happy to share our world with you and hope you have wonderful dreams,
Love your new friend ” – Flora W
Year 2 – My story matters
Year 2 have been using storytelling to learn more about each other by actively listening to their friend’s share their family’s stories. The girls brought in a variety of special artefacts from home to share, explaining the item’s heritage and significance to their family. The girls were extremely proud to share their cultural heritage and enjoyed seeing the diversity of their year group, celebrating each other’s unique story.
“My cultural treasure is a British post box. My dad used this to help him save money when he was little. He lived in Hong Kong which was part of the British colony back then. It is important to me because it is rare. When Britain no longer owned Hong Kong, all the post boxes were taken down. I now keep his money box in a special place.” – Sophie W
“An ink pen is my important cultural treasure. It was my mum’s that she used at school and it is important because it helps me understand her past and what it was like at school for her. My mum had a very different school experience compared to me.” – Jelena P
“My cultural treasure is a special Irish skirt. My father’s mother brought it from a festival and gave it to me as a special gift of love.” – Mia A
“My Mum’s Dandiya is my cultural treasure. She was given them by her grandfather when she was living in Saudi Arabia. Women were not allowed to go out by themselves because it was not safe so her grandfather thought she could use the dandiya to have a ‘party’ in her own house.” – Marisa N
“My mum’s jade necklace was given to her by her grandma. It has a goddess called GuanYin on it and it brings us good luck.” – Claire H
“My special item is a glass monkey. It is very important to me because when I had my first haircut in Shanghai, my hair was kept inside of it. I will treasure it forever.” – Ariel W
“When my mum was a little girl, her mum bought her a beautiful green velvet dress from England. She wore it when she was 3 and loved it so much. Mum then gave it to me and now I am big I have given it to my little sister to wear. The dress is so special to our family- it is 32 years old! I hope my daughter will wear it to”- Selena R
Year 3
Year 3 enjoyed reading the book Are we there yet? by Alison Lester, making predictions about the text and then exploring how the family was feeling as they commenced their trip around Australia and the various places they visited on their journey. Integrated with their inquiry unit, the girls have undertaken research of a significant feature of Australia which they then have persuaded their class to visit. Many family holidays have been planned during this time now that the girls have discovered all the amazing places they could visit!
“If you are feeling brave, you must go on a croc tour down the Daintree River where you can get up close to one of Australia’s most fearsome animals. You might even get close enough to see their teeth! Just be sure to stay out of the water….” – Olivia B
“I bet you want to hear what makes the Great Barrier Reef a family friendly place to be? It’s not just the reef to play in, but there are more things to do around the area, like going to the animal encounters, crocodile tours, rafting, going to the Daintree Rainforest and many many more!” – Olivia J
“There are so many performances happening at the Sydney Opera House at once. Singers, dancers, actors…. it’s an amazing sight! The architecture is amazing- it is over 64 years old. That is much older than my parents!” – Maisie B
Sport and Play in Kindergarten to Year 2
In PE this term Kindergarten to Year 3 girls have been continuing with track and field events in preparation for the Athletics Carnival in Week 7. Last week the girls learnt the track events, including sprinting and hurdles and this week the focus has been on field events: long jump, javelin, shot put and discus. All the girls have been focusing on learning the correct technique and practicing hard and they are so excited to have a go in the Carnival to earn points for their House!
The Kindergarten to Year 2 girls have loved experiencing a variety of different sports each Friday in the multi-sport program, including tennis, soccer and volleyball. The girls have enjoyed working as a team, cheering for each other and learning new skills all while having lots of fun!
Around the Grounds – Jayne Mercer Lead Co-ordinator (4-6)
Year 4
In English lessons, Year 4 have started the term looking at poetry. Studying a variety of styles the girls have analysed poems for similarities and differences. In the next few weeks they will begin to write their own. All classes have started to read the class novel, Thai-riffic by Oliver Phommavanh, meeting the main characters Lengy and his brother Kitchai. The novel is a wonderful way to gain insight into identifying personal feelings, family dynamics and managing friendship fires. Term 2’s Inquiry unit into light and heat started with revision of the scientific process by investigating the effect of heat on glowsticks. The girls are looking forward to a visit from Fizzics later in the term.
“In the glow sticks science lesson we learnt about bioluminescence and chemiluminescence Bioluminescence is a naturally made light but chemiluminescence occurs when there is a chemical reaction which happens when you snap a glowstick.” – Alicia C and Sunny W
“I have liked learning about bus stop maths in our Maths lessons. We use it to help us with division calculations.” – Juliet W
Year 5
Inquiry lessons this term link the topics of the properties of materials in Science to early colonial Australia in History. Over the last two weeks the girls have begun to think about what materials would have been used during the early 1800s and why. They have had an introductory lesson in Micro:bits, apocket-sized computer that introduces how software and hardware work together and will be used to design a gold detector later in the term. In Mathematics, Year 5 have spent the last week looking at the concept of time. Focusing on the real-life application in timetables and the use of 24-hour time.
Year 6
Compass lessons this term began with goal setting for the term and the introduction of the STOP acronym of Self-care, Time management, Organisation and Peace of mind. English tasks over the last couple of weeks have linked to the Inquiry topics of global connections and sustainability looking in particular at food production. The concept of healthy soil was investigated in Inquiry lessons with students analysing the differences between the soil samples they brought to school from their own gardens.
“I am enjoying growing vegetables from scraps. It’s fun because you get to be more sustainable.” – Lillie O
“I have enjoyed comparing soil samples from different people’s gardens.” – Grace N
MMG Survey Reminder
A friendly reminder to all Year 3 and Year 5 families that you have time to complete the MMG Survey. Thank you to those that have participated, we appreciate your feedback.
Careers Day
We still have spots available for parents to showcase their careers to our girls. The event will be for our Year 3 to 6 girls and will take place on Wednesday 17 May, Week 4 from 10.45am to 12.45pm. We will have ‘stalls’ set up in the hall and the library again to showcase the careers. Parents can set up from 10.00am. Parents who wish to participate will be invited to join their daughters for lunch. There is no requirement to stay after 12.45pm, this is merely an invitation.
Please don’t be shy, this is a request from your daughters to find out more about what you do in your day.
We already have parents from the finance sector, medical, engineering and banking. We are hoping to invite parents who may be entrepreneurs or own a restaurant or retail outlet or who have careers in design or creative thinking focused jobs…or jobs that involve working outdoors.
Although this event is for our Year 4 to 6 girls we welcome parents from Kindergarten to Year 6 to attend. Should your daughters be in Kindergarten to Year 3 we will arrange for them to visit you at your ‘stall’ and to bring a friend too. You are very welcome to spend lunch her.
We look so forward to hearing about your chosen careers. If you are interested in partaking in this initiative, please click here to register.
An invitation to have your say: An invitation to be part of a focus group
I need your help please! I feel very honoured, and deeply challenged, to be co-leading our College’s Social Intelligence strategic focus and looking at how we shape our community. We are determined to foster an inclusive community for all our families to enjoy and in which we all feel safe and valued. I openly say this is a challenge because my cultural background shapes my knowledge base and experiences and I’m trying to broaden these by learning from the stories of others. As such, I am hoping to work with a wide range of our community, so all perspectives and members of our College family are heard. It is important that we strive for equity of voice, active engagement for all members of our community and a strong sense of our collective citizenship.
There are a number of dates and times available for focus groups to come and share your thoughts with me, so if you are interested, please select the one that suits you.
What things/events could or should we celebrate throughout the year as a community? How would you like to celebrate special events and cultural celebrations?
- Tuesday 23 May at 6.00pm
- Tuesday 30 May at 8.00am
- Monday 5 June at 5.00pm
Please click here to make a booking.
- Monday 15 May at 2.00pm – **this focus group will be hosted in Mandarin** –
周一15/5 中文小组讨论 : 如果你想说中文 – 有老师帮您翻译.
Topic: What things/events we should and could celebrate throughout the year as a community? How would you like to celebrate special events and cultural celebrations?
话题: 我们学校应该庆祝哪些节日? 您想在学校如何庆祝特别活动和文化节日?
Please click here to make a booking for the Mandarin focus group. 预订中文小组讨论
National Simultaneous Storytime 2023 – Josephine Laretive, Teacher Librarian K-2
On Wednesday 24 May, Kindergarten to Year 3 will participate in National Simultaneous Storytime an annual event run by the Australian Library and Information Association. This special event promotes the value of reading and literacy, the enjoyment of books, and picture books written and illustrated by Australian authors and illustrators. This year, the book The Speedy Sloth by Rebecca Young and illustrated by Heath McKenzie will be read simultaneously across Australia and beyond. To celebrate this event the Library is running a colouring-in competition and each class in Kindergarten to Year 3 will be involved in art and craft activities linked to the story.
Click here for more information.
Permission for Excursions
A reminder when your daughter has an excursion, please give permission for your daughter to attend through MyPymble, please select Approve or Not Going. Your daughter cannot attend the excursion until the permission is approved.
Please contact IT Help desk if you have any technical problems on +61 2 9855 7771
Scholarship registrations open to current Year 5 students
Pymble offers a number of scholarships each year to girls starting in Year 7 including current Pymble students moving into Year 7. Registrations for Year 7 2025 Junior Academic Scholarships and Year 7 2025 Performance Scholarship – Music are currently open to our Year 5 students.
Registrations close from 26 July 2023 depending on the scholarship. The examination will be held at the College on Sunday 13 August 2023.
Information about portfolio requirements and how to apply can be found online through the Scholarship webpage.
K-2 Travel Term 2
Please email juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au with your daughters full name and class if you have any travel changes for Term 2.
Uniform and Appearance
All students are expected to wear their uniform correctly and with pride. Uniforms cannot be mixed with each season (please refer to page 33 of your daughter’s school diary correct uniform appearance details). Junior School has a strict ‘no hat no play policy’, please ensure your daughter has her bucket play hat at school every day. During the cooler months please ensure that your daughter is wearing the correct uniform. Various Sports fleeces are not allowed to be worn during the normal school day. Please make sure that your daughter’s uniform is named.
Absent, Late Arrivals/Early Departures, Vacation
A reminder if you daughter is absent from school please enter your daughter’s absence through the MyPymble app or email Junior School Administration Office juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au . For any changes to your daughter’s travel, late/early arrivals please email the Administration Office.
Exemption from Attendance Application form can be found on the Portal, please ensure if your daughters is away for two days or more to complete the application form two weeks in advance from the start of your daughter’s absence.
Lost Property
Please ensure your daughters full name is clearly labelled on all items of clothing including socks, hats and lunch items so it can be quickly returned to your daughter if it is found.
Reminders for tomorrow – Friday 12 May
Year 3 and Year 5 Windows into Learning
The Year 3 Compass teachers are excited to invite you to join your daughter for an integrated English/Inquiry from 8.35am until 10.00am. We will be starting Windows into Learning at 8.35am to enable girls to follow their morning routine, including roll call.
Mother’s Day Morning Tea
We are looking forward to sharing our special Mother’s Day Morning Tea with you all tomorrow. A reminder that girls are able to wear House colour mufti on the day. Please ensure that all girls wear appropriate closed footwear and warm clothes.
For our Kindergarten to Year 2 girls participating in their multi-sport sessions in the afternoon, please could these girls wear trainers/sneakers and clothing that allows them to move freely but also stay warm. Jeans or leggings and tops in house colours would be appropriate.
Tickets for the morning tea must be pre-purchased, please contact JJ Blaiklock at jj@baresque.com.au or events@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au for any enquiries.
Please consider using public transport to the College on this day. Parking will be extremely limited as Gate 1 will be closed during the event to ensure the safety of our students, staff and community. Grey House Walk will be open for part of the day.
We hope to join many of you on Main Oval for this special morning.
From the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG)
Family Fun Day & Movie Night – Saturday 20th May
We are very excited that our JSPG Family Fun Day & Movie Night is only one and a half weeks away!
Please join us on Saturday 20 May from 3.00pm to 7.00pm to join in the fun.
Tickets will be closing by end of this week so to secure your spot, please click here to purchase as soon as possible.
By way of background, our Family Fun Day & Movie Night is traditionally the biggest and most exciting event in our JSPG calendar. It is a day specially designed to catch up with our existing families in the Junior School, and just as importantly, welcome our new families. Last year we welcomed over 750 people to our event.
This year, the theme of our event is: “Old-fashioned family fun”. We are providing an opportunity for all our families to unwind and enjoy an afternoon of food and festivity, at a low cost.
The day will feature a barbecue dinner, a big screen movie, popcorn, fairy floss, an inflatable obstacle course, karaoke and dress-ups and a range of carnival games. Available for purchase at food and drink trucks will be crepes, coffee, hot chocolate and other drinks. We will also have sideshow attractions for purchase of items such as glow products and crazy hair.
To purchase your tickets, please click here. Please note tickets are only $20 (three years and under are free) and include the following attractions:
– Barbecue dinner plus one drink (please note that we will cater for dietary restrictions)
– Popcorn and fairy floss
– Family movie Ferdinand (rated G)
– 20m commando challenge obstacle course
– Old-fashioned games
– Karaoke and dress-ups
– Access to food/drink trucks and sideshow attractions.
We are looking forward to catching up with you all soon.
Year 6 Parent Daughter Dance – Saturday 27 May
Please join us for our very exciting Parent Daughter Dance on Saturday 27th May from 6:30pm to 9:30pm at Killara Golf Club.
The theme of the evening is “Springtime in Paris” which will be a beautiful journey for our parents with French-themed décor, food and entertainment, with many surprises in store. The evening will be a very special celebration for our Year 6 girls and their families to commemorate their last year in the Junior School.
Mrs Brown and Mrs Davey will also be joining us for this very special event.
To purchase tickets and to avoid disappointment, please click here.
Key Dates
| Friday 12 May | Mother’s Day Morning Tea – 10.15am to 11.15am |
| Friday 12 May | Windows into Learning Year 3 and 5 – 8.30am to 10.30am |
| Wednesday 17 May | Years 4 to 6 Careers Day |
| Wednesday 17 May | Year 1 Ranger Jamie Excursion to Clifton Gardens, Mosman |
| Saturday 20 May | JSPG Family Fun Day and Picnic |
Kate Brown
Head of Junior School