From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
Our girls as change makers
I am so proud of the number of girls who have written to me over the last week suggesting clubs and activities they would like to lead and manage for our Junior School including a maths club, K-Pop dance club, wellbeing club, paper recycling club and a book club. It takes courage, creativity and organisational skills to plan a club you would like to lead. Most impressive is the fact that three of the girls wanting to lead new clubs are students who joined our Junior School this year!
Celebrating our Year 6 leaders
This week we inducted our Year 6 cohort as the leaders of our Junior School and their determination to lead by example is already evident. Ms Davenport and her team are working with the girls to think about the footprint or impact they want to leave as their legacy at the end of this year. Congratulations Year 6 and continue to shine by living our Values every day in all you do!
Empowering our learners through healthy sleep habits
This year, across the College we are highlighting the power of sleep as part of our wellbeing focus. Research shows that one of the most important tools to support our girls’ learning. Next week we are encouraging each girl (and staff member) to record and track her sleep each day so she can reflect on her current sleep pattern. We hope that we can work together to talk about ways, and find ways, for the girls to increase their sleep or ease their capacity to fall asleep. There is no judgement in the results of the sleep tracking; the purpose is to see our current sleep patterns and explore how we may be able to improve our sleep habits.
Please click here to view the sleep tracker diary.
A message from Mr Stephen Robinson – Acting Deputy Head of Junior School – Operations
Lunar New Year
Next week we will celebrate Lunar New Year with a variety of lunch time activities planned by our staff and students.
Students are invited to wear culturally appropriate mufti clothing on Tuesday 13 February to celebrate the Lunar New Year. From Tuesday 13 February until the end of the month of February, students are able to wear red or gold ribbon on their belt or hat.
Train line
Students and parents are requested to cross from the train station using the pedestrian crossing with the crossing guard only. Please DO NOT use the crossing located on the corner outside the train tunnel, as this is not supervised and poses increased risk.
Name badges
All students in the Junior School are expected to wear a name badge as part of their uniform. At the beginning of the year, the College provides all students with two name badges free of cost. In the event that these become damaged or lost, students will be provided with a replacement, with the cost of $10.50 charged to student accounts.
Padlocks
All students in Years 5 and new students in Year 6 are provided a padlock for their lockers. This device remains with students as they travel through the Junior School and onto secondary years. The initial padlock is provided by the College, but replacements will incur a fee of $33.30, which will be charged to student accounts.
Critical Medical Information
As part of the College’s commitment to keep all students safe, it is vital that we have all requisite information and medication relating to allergies and medical conditions. It is imperative that information shared with the school is complete and up to date for our staff and nurse’s to ensure optimal care if provided for your daughter when they are on campus. If your daughter suffers from anaphylaxis or asthma, please register the action plan with the College and provide all the necessary medication. Further information can be obtained from our Healthcare team or from Junior School administration.
A message from Mrs Kate Giles – Head of Wellbeing K-6
We are seeking feedback from our parent community regarding class formation. Focus groups will be held at 3.30pm on Monday 19 February in the Junior School Office. If you are interested in sharing your thoughts about the class formation process, please sign up by clicking here.
A message from Mrs Shaira Musico – Junior School Service Co-ordinator
As part of our Junior School focus on service, we will be supporting a number of different initiatives this year. Kindergarten to Year 2 will continue to support the HARK Refugee Clinic at the Children’s Hospital Westmead this year. We are seeking donations of new stationery items to assist students at school. This could include lead or coloured pencils, pencil cases, pens, textas, glue sticks, scissors and other small stationery items. These items can be brought to school by your daughter or dropped at the Junior School office. We are looking to deliver these items to HARK Refugee Clinic on Monday 25 March.
We thank you so much for your support and look forward to making a difference together.
A message from Fiona McDermott – Co-curricular activities and supervision before and after school
Could we please get your assistance to encourage all your daughters to write their weekly schedule in their diary each week, including pickup arrangements.
School supervision starts at 7.45am, there is a selection of co-curricular classes which start in the morning should your require to drop your daughter to school before 7.45am. Parents are also welcome to sit with their daughter prior to school supervision starts.
For activities which start 3.15pm, your daughter will go straight to their activity.
For activities which start at 3.30pm, your daughter will go to junior library and wait till 3.15 – then move to activity.
For activities which start at 3.45pm, your daughter will leave the 3-6 library when it closes and go straight to activity.
For activities which start at 4.00pm, your daughter will need to be booked into OSHC or be minded by a parent/ carer prior to the activity start time.
Where should my daughter go after activities?
Years 3-6: Flagpole Carline – All music, Dance, Robotics, Performing Arts, Coding, Chess, Athletics, TAS, skincare classes.
Years K-2: K-2 carline – All music, Dance, Robotics, Performing Arts and Athletics,
Centenary carpark – Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics, Tennis, Aquatics, Diving, Fencing and all activities at the rear of the College.
Any girl found unsupervised before or after co-curricular activities will be taken and cared for by OSHC ( a charge applies).
Failure to not comply with these College expectations may result in your daughter not attending co-curricular activities.
Around the Grounds
A message from Kurt Schweinberger – Head of Creative and Performing Arts (Kindergarten to Year 6)
Year 3 String Orchestra Workshop Day
Year 3 String Workshop Day is to be held on Sunday 18 February in the John Reid Hall and Sunshine Square. Notes and information have been emailed to parents and students. The girls will participate in tutorials and rehearsals from 9.00am to 1.00pm. It is essential that all students in the Year 3 String Program attend this day. Please see the parent portal for all information.
Stanhope and Grainger Band Workshop Day
All parents with students involved in the Stanhope and Grainger Bands will have received notes regarding our annual Junior School Band Workshop Day which will be held at the College on Saturday 17 February for all members of these ensembles. It will be a busy day of tutorials, rehearsals, and activities to get these ensembles off to a flying start for 2024. All members of these two ensembles are expected to attend. Please see the parent portal for all information.
Year 4 Training Band Workshop Day
The 4 Training Band Workshop Day will be held on Sunday 18 February. The girls will participate in tutorials and rehearsals from 9.00am to 1.00pm with morning tea and lunch provided. It is essential that all students attend this day. It will be a busy day of tutorials, rehearsals, and activities to get these ensembles off to a flying start for 2024. Please see the parent portal for all information.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Auditions
In conjunction with the Junior School STEAM Festival, I am excited to announce that students from 3 – 6 will have the opportunity to perform in the play Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Based on the novel by Roald Dahl, this 45-minute adaptation tells the tale of Charlie Bucket and the adventures he embarks on after finding one of the five golden tickets.
As part of the Junior School STEAM Festival, the play will be based on the principles of STEAM (Science, technology, engineering, ARTS and mathematics). From costume design, set design and props creation, the theatre experience will allow students to develop their STEAMS skills within a different environment.
The dates for the performances are listed below and will be performed in the Junior School John Reid Hall.
- Thursday 27 June, 6.00pm (family and friend’s performance)
- Friday 28 June (daytime performances as part of the Junior School STEAM Festival)
All students wishing to be a part of the play will be cast in the production. Auditions will commence Term 1 Week 3 during lunchtime.
Please see the Parent Portal for more detailed information regarding auditions.
A message from the Junior School Administration Office
Lunch and Recess Orders
A reminder to pack your daughter with a drink bottle, recess and lunch each day. You can order online through Flexischools, the cut off time for ordering on the day is 8.00am.
Years 5 and 6 will have access to Archie’s during lunch time. We are encouraging use of student ID cards to pay for purchases as cash will not be accepted. Money will need to be loaded onto your daughter’s student card via Flexischools – please click the links below for how to do this.
Archie’s Café hours are 7.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
Set up account and ordering information
Linking a student card including nominating a daily spend limit
Nut Allergies
Please ensure that your daughter’s food does not contain any nuts as some of our students have severe allergies to food containing nuts and nut products. This includes spreads such as peanut butter and Nutella.
Birthday Treats
If you would like to send in birthday treats for your daughter and her class please limit this to either small (mini) cupcakes or iceblocks (Zooper Doopers) only. Please only supply for your daughter’s class (not the whole grade). If your daughter has allergies please make arrangements directly with your class teacher. We ask that you do not send in presents for the girls to school as these distract the girls from their learning – presents are lovely for parties at home!
Departure: Daily Routines
Any changes to these routines must be sent in writing to the Junior School office juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au . Please note that it is important that any changes to travel arrangements are received prior to 2.00pm.
Girls with older sisters – Girls wait at the Junior School Library until their sister collects them by 3.30pm or at OSHC if they have a Senior School sister.
Girls Traveling on College Buses
Girls wait in the K-2 School Office and are supervised until 3.00pm when they are walked to Sunshine Square to join the Year 3-6 girls. All Junior School girls are then walked to Kelso bus area by a teacher.
A reminder that all students travelling on the Pymble bus service must have a current registration. Please link your daughter for the bus.
Term 1 2024 Key Dates (Weeks 1, 2 & 3)
Saturday 11 February – IPSHA Saturday Sport starts
Monday 12 February – Kindergarten to Year 2 Individual Photos and Year 3 to 6 Catch Up Day, 8.30am to 12.30pm
Thursday 15 February – Kindergarten to Year 6 Parent Information Evening
Thursday 15 February – Junior School Parent Group drinks
Friday 16 February – Year 3 to 6 Swimming Carnival
Saturday 17 February – IPSHA Saturday Sport
Saturday 17 February – Year 4 to 6 Band Camp
Saturday 17 February – Year 3 String Intensive
Sunday 18 February – Year 4 to 6 Band Camp, Year 3 String Intensive
Monday 19 February – Allwell Testing – Year 3: 8.30am to 12.30pm
Wednesday 21 February – Allwell Testing – Year 5: 8.30am to 12.30pm
Friday 23 February – Kindergarten Exploring Pymble Tour
Friday 23 February – Year 6 Excursion to Parliament/Gallery
Friday 23 February – NAPLAN Omnibus Year 3 and Year 5 P1
Saturday 24 February – IPSHA Saturday Sport
From the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG)
PPA Semester 1 Meeting – Monday 12 February
All Pymble parents and carers are invited to attend the Pymble Parents Association (PPA) Semester 1 Meeting on Monday 12 February from 6.00pm in the David Macfarlane Centre. Light refreshments will be served from 5.30pm.
Dr Kate Hadwen, Principal, Kelly Mancey, Director – Community Engagement and Sunny Hres, PPA President will provide an update on the expected 2024 landscape. Registration not required. We hope to see you there.
Kindergarten Parent Breakfast – Friday 23 February
We invite our Kindergarten parents to come together for a relaxed social breakfast with Mrs Kate Brown, Head of Junior School and Junior School staff. Please stay after dropping off your daughter, from 8.15am to 9.15am on the lawn behind Hedgehog House. Please RSVP by Friday 16 February via the invitation on MyPymble.
Years 3-6 Junior School Swimming Carnival – Friday 16 February
Parents are welcome to attend and support their daughter/s. We encourage parents to wear a touch of their daughters House colour and get into the House spirit with the girls.
Refreshments for parents are available from Archie’s Café. Lunch orders are available for the girls as usual.
Please note this is a full school day and there are no early departures for students.
Welcome to 2024 – Icebreaker Invitation – Friday 1 March
Please join us for canapes and drinks at our annual Icebreaker on Friday 1 March from 6.45pm to 9.00pm, held on Gloucester Lawn.
Tickets are $52 per person and include a cocktail style dinner and drinks. This year’s theme is (an optional) touch of florals. Banners will be set up to help group parents by year group.
Please click here to RSVP by Thursday 22 February. Please note this is a parent only event and registration is essential.
We hope you’ll join us as we welcome our new families, reconnect with old friends and toast a wonderful new year at Pymble!
Upcoming Events
- 3BM Playdate – Sunday 11 February
Let’s Play at Bicentennial Park, West Pymble. Please see the flyer for details.
- Save the Date: Year 1 Easter Egg Hunt – Sunday 24 March
Hop on over for our Year 1 Easter Egg Hunt at Bicentennial Park West Pymble. Please see the flyer for details and RSVP to your Parent Year Coordinators.
As you can see, we are off to a flying start for 2024!
We hope you enjoy meeting your daughter’s new compass teacher/s at the Parent Information Evening next Thursday 15 February. After your session, please head to the lawn behind Hedgehog House, where you can meet and socialise with other parents for a short time.
Please contact us with any questions at pymblelcjspg@gmail.com
Kate Brown
Head of Junior School