From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
As we end this term, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey of learning, friendship, challenge, sport, co-curricular activities, and personal growth that our girls have undertaken. It has been a term filled with excitement, discovery, and meaningful experiences. Congratulations to our Year 6 Hockey Team A whom I watched play on Saturday and who displayed such a committed sense of teamwork as they played.
Congratulations also to our outstanding Eisteddfod Jazz and Lyrical teams who both competed at the Extreme Dance Eisteddfod on Sunday. These girls also dazzled with their strong sense of teamwork and the precision they have in their choreography reflects their hours of dedicated rehearsal and their determination to present as a collective whole. I was very proud watching both groups perform.
Congratulations to our Eisteddfod choral groups who also came 2nd and 3rd at the competition this week #Pymbleproud!
At the heart of our Junior School educational philosophy lies the core guiding principle of kindness. This term, we have focused on nurturing kindness in others through four important statements: “I can be of service,” “I can be inclusive,” “I can listen,” and “I can use my voice for change.”
Look at these amazing posters created by Chelsea Duan (Year 6) to represent our Kindness to Others’ facts. Chelsea is still working on her design Fact 4, ‘I can use my voice for change’
In our classrooms and beyond, we have witnessed our students embracing the value of being of service and leading social inclusion and care. They have actively sought ways to help others, whether it’s assisting a peer with their work, cheering a friend on in sport, supporting a friend during challenging times, celebrating each other’s successes in eisteddfods, sharing their passion of music with someone who is elderly or lonely, making artworks and cards for those in hospitals or participating in community service projects. Their acts of kindness have had a profound impact on those around them, and I hope given them a sense of joy too as they give kindness to others. Our Kindness Captains surprised the teachers this week with messages of gratitude for the semester.
Our commitment to inclusivity has been an integral part of this term’s journey. Our girls have demonstrated a deep understanding that everyone deserves to be included and valued. They have actively created an environment where everyone feels welcomed and celebrated for their unique qualities, fostering a sense of belonging that enriches our community. Thank you for modelling that focus on inclusivity to your daughters.
We have also emphasised the importance of listening. Our students have honed their listening skills, understanding that true empathy and understanding begin with attentive ears and open hearts. They have embraced the art of active listening, valuing diverse perspectives and appreciating the beauty of human connection through genuine dialogue. They have listened respectfully to their teachers and opened their minds to new learning challenges and how to problem solve.
Finally, our girls have discovered the strength of their own voices and the potential for change they hold. Through various initiatives, they have learned to articulate their thoughts, express their ideas, and advocate for positive transformation. They have come to understand that their voices matter and can create meaningful impact both within our school and beyond.
I was so proud to observe Year 4M who shared their Health lesson, led by Mrs Rachel Kingsell, Head of PDHPE K-6, with Channel 9 and representative from the Butterfly Body Bright foundation this week. The girls showcased their maturity and depth of kindness to self as they shared their thinking about the power of our bodies and the gratitude, they each have for their bodies, whatever shape and size they are and the things they allow us to do.
As we reflect on the term’s accomplishments, we are immensely proud of the growth we have witnessed in your daughters. Their kind deeds, inclusive attitudes, attentive listening, and courage to use their voices for change have laid a strong foundation for their future as compassionate and empowered individuals.
We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to you, the parents, for your unwavering support in nurturing these qualities in your children. Together, we are creating a community where kindness thrives, and a learning community where your daughters are equipped with the skills and values to thrive and make a positive difference in their world.
Thank you for entrusting us with your daughters’ education and growth. We wish you safe travels and a relaxing break as a family so that your girls can come back energised for another semester of learning beginning in Term 3. We look forward to the exciting journey ahead as we continue to inspire kindness, foster inclusivity, encourage active listening, and empower our girls to be the change they wish to see.
House Robotics Day
On Monday our House Captains 2023 launched our inaugural inter House Robotics competition. Every girl from Kindergarten to Year 6 had a go at driving robots in a thrilling series of short games to earn points for her House. The House Captains were exceptional in their support of their House sisters throughout the day and led the atmosphere of having a go, being resilient when faced with pressure or technical difficulties and having fun.
A huge thank you to Mrs Alison Tedesco, our K-6 Robotics Coordinator, Ms Charlotte Baker and Mr Dan Brown who led the day for our girls alongside our high energy and brilliant staff House Champions; Mrs Tracy Reid (Hammond), Mrs Shaira Musico (Bennett), Ms Sarah McGeogh (Goodlet), Mrs Nicola Michie (Ingleholme), Ms Penny Charalambous (Marden), Ms Rosie Prince (Lang), Ms Imogen Kennett (Thomas) Mrs Cindy Anderson (Wylie).
We had three secondary exchange students from France visit our Years 3 to 6 French classes this week. We have Julie, Lilou and Charlotte from Colmar in Alsace in this photo. They are staying with host families of Pymble Year 10 French students and are 16 years old. They have been generous in sharing their time and energy with our Junior School talking about France, their language and culture. For this we are profoundly thankful.
Our Year 6 girls continue to impress with their depth of thinking. This week they shared their knowledge of Malawi inspired by their reading of the text, The Boy who Harnessed the Wind. The girls each researched an area which resonated with them having read the text and the array of guiding research questions they had come up with was impressive. We had students researching the impact of famine, the impact of poverty on a country’s growth and people, clothing as a representation of culture and history, how windmills, turbines and transformers work, how batteries and AC/DC electrical currents work, and even how the subjects offered in schools impact the country’s ecomomic growth.
Message from the Administration Office
Thank you parents for a wonderful Term 2 and for your assistance in notifying us if your daughter has changes to her normal school routine day or is absent from school, or if you need to pass a message onto your daughter.
A reminder you daughter will return to school in Term in full winter uniform for Term 3, please ensure all items of clothing and items are clearly named with her full name so it can be easily returned to her if it is found. Further information regarding uniform and appearance can be found on page 32 and 33 of your daughter’s student diary.
We wish you a safe and lovely school term break and look forward to providing assistance and seeing your daughter in Term 3.
For Kindergarten to Year 2 girls whose travel arrangements have changed for Term 3 please email juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au
From the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG)
Thank you again to your support for the K-2 and 3-6 Athletics Carnival held recently.
A special thank you to Annabel Blaiklock and Jess Du on the JSPG for convening these stalls with other helpers.
Save the Date – Parent Daughter Dances
We are very excited to announce that our Parent Daughter Dances are being held in August. Please mark these dates in your diaries as they are just around the corner!
Years K-2 Parent Daughter Dance
Date: Saturday 5 August
Time: 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Venue: John Reid Hall and Sunshine Square
Price: $50 per person
Dress Theme: “Under the Sea”
Years 3-5 Parent Daughter Dance
Saturday 19th August 2023
Time: 6:00pm to 8:30pm
Venue: John Reid Hall and Sunshine Square
Price: $50 per person
Dress Theme: “Glitz and Glamour”
Class 3R Brunch & Playdate
Please join us for a brunch and playdate on Sunday 16th July at Eden Gardens from 10:30am. See flyer for more details.
On behalf of the JSPG, we wish all the junior school families as happy and safe holiday break. We look forward to catching up with you in Term Three.
If you have any questions or require further information, please email us the JSPG at: pymblelcjspg@gmail.com
Important Dates for Term 3
| Monday 19 July | No school today |
| Tuesday 18 July | First Day of Term 3 |
| Thursday 20 July | Years 1 & 2 Concert Voice Recording 9.00am to 1.00pm, GMCPA |
| Monday 24 July | Emmy and Friends for Year 1 |
| Tuesday 25 July | Catch up Photo Day |
| Tuesday 25 July | Years 5 to 12 NAIDOC Assembly 1.30pm |
| Wednesday 26 July to Friday 28 July | Year 6 OEP Group 1 Glenworth Valley |
| Wednesday 26 July | Years 5 and 6 Maths Olympiad |
| Wednesday 26 July | Years 3 and 4 Maths Explorer |
| Thursday 27 July | Year 5 and 6 da Vinci Decathlon |
| Friday 28 July | Year 6 OEP Group 1 Glenworth Valley |
| Friday 28 July | Year 5 and 11 Honouring (Unstructured Play) |
| **Note for your calendars: Academic learning discussions will take place on Monday 18 September 2023. All students will take home their iPad on Friday 15 September. As these discussions will be online and throughout the whole day no Junior School student will be on campus on Monday 18 September. |
Kate Brown
Head of Junior School