From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
Courage and Community
I was immensely proud of all our girls in Years 3 to 6 last Friday as they swam and dived with Pymble pride and house spirit in their 2024 swimming carnival and diving showcase. Some girls won races, some achieved new personal bests, some showed courage in having a go and others showed their determination as they powered on despite lost goggles or tiredness. All girls cheered their friends and House, and it was a wonderful day of shared celebration.
I was particularly proud when the professional photographer, Anthony Khoury, whom the College partners with, commented that whilst he works with many other schools around Sydney, he has never seen or heard the level of House spirit and community that he saw throughout our carnival on Friday. #PymbleProud!
A huge shout out to Mr Tyson who planned and led the carnival with Miss Baker, Mrs Kingsell and the Swim staff.
Cook2Care – A student-led initiative for Year 3 and 4
One of our phenomenal students, Jasmine Smith (Year 4), has started an initiative to support the homeless by encouraging our community to cook meals to support members of our local community in need. Jasmine spoke to our 3-6 Assembly on Monday, and she is hoping Year 3 to 4 girls and their families will support her plan to change the world by cooking one meal or bringing in packaged food to make parcels for those who are supported by organisations such as The Dish in Hornsby. Please bring in food or packages to Hedgehog House.
A message from Mr Stephen Robinson – Acting Deputy Head of Junior School – Operations
Bikes and Scooters at School
It has been wonderful to see so many students enjoying the growing number of bikes and scooters we have in the playground at lunch. For many, this experience has been the first chance to ride a bike, and it has been lovely to see students encouraging each other as they build this new skill.
Students in Years 2-6 are welcome to bring their bikes and scooters to school to use at lunchtime under the supervision of staff. All bikes must be in good working order and students are required to wear a properly fitted helmet.
Ride Safely to School Day
Friday 22 March is National Ride Safely to School Day. This wonderful initiative is the largest celebration of active travel and one of the best ways to start the school day. We invite students to participate in various ways:
- Ride a bike or scooter to school with a parent or family member
- Meet Mrs Brown and other members of the Junior School at Pymble Station to ride (bike or scooter) to school as a group. Please complete this form to register.
- Bring your bike or scooter along to participate in a range of activities at lunchtime.
All students participating in National Ride Safely to School Day must have a properly fitted helmet when riding.
JSPG Term 1 Meeting
We look forward to swing many of you at our Term 1 meeting next Wednesday 28 February in the 3-6 Library from 8.15am. For those who are unable to join us in person but want to attend, please click here to view a live stream.
Babysitting during Icebreaker
We are very much looking forward to seeing many of our parents at our College Icebreaker event in the evening of Friday 1 March 2024. To assist families, we are happy to announce we are providing FREE babysitting to current Junior School girls during this event.
Students will be supervised by Junior School staff in the John Reid Hall for a movie night (G Rating), with craft activities also available.
Spots are limited to the first 75 children registered. Please submit another response if you have another daughter in Junior School requiring supervision. ONLY current Junior School students may be registered.
Students may be dropped off from 6.45pm and must be collected by 8.15pm (although the Icebreaker event ends at 9pm). Please be aware that there is no food provided. Students must eat dinner before arrival.
International Women’s Day Video Submissions
Thank you to those mothers and grandmothers that have already submitted a video or reserved a time to record a video at school speaking about the impact of mathematics in your life. Our compilation of testimonials will indeed celebrate Maths and Girl Power this International Women’s Day.
If you are able to assist us with this, please click here.
A message from Mrs Kate Giles – Head of Wellbeing K-6
100 adventures to complete in Junior School
Last week in our Junior School Assemblies we reminded the girls of the 100 Adventures to complete before you finish Junior School Challenge. These amazing adventures include a variety of exciting experiences designed to engage curiosity, cultivate connections, build resilience, foster creativity and develop the girls’ understanding of themselves- all while having fun! Some of these include knitting scarves or blankets for the homeless, bush walking, creating your own boardgame and helping someone younger.
We were lucky to have Amelia Hardas from Year 7 attend as our Junior School 100 Adventures Ambassador. Amelia is one of 3 students to have ever completed all 100 Adventures in this booklet by the end of her time in the Junior School. Amelia re-ignited the girls’ excitement for these adventures, sharing her favourites including the beach clean up and creating a daisy chain. Amelia is going to be returning to our Assemblies periodically to check in with the girls about the adventures they have had.
All girls (who did not already have a booklet at home) have been provided with one this week. It would be wonderful if you spoke with your daughter about these adventures and which ones she would like to do this year. Mrs Brown and I would love to hear of the adventures the girls have, so please send through any pictures over the year!
Parent Wellbeing Series
This year we will be holding a number of workshops with a focus on wellbeing. The first of these is on Thursday 7 March at 8.30am in the Junior School Library. The session is aimed at parents of students from Kindergarten to Year 3 but all are welcome. Places are limited.
If you would like to attend, please click here to register.
A message from Kurt Schweinberger – Head of Creative and Performing Arts K-6
Junior School Music Ensemble Weekend
On Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 February, more than 150 students from the Junior School participated in the annual Music Ensemble Weekend. Aimed at “kick-starting” the ensembles for 2024, the two days of music-making were a wonderful opportunity for students to engage in a series of intensive workshops and rehearsals. By the end of the weekend, all groups had shown enormous development in their ensemble skills, technique, and musicianship through a varied range of repertoire.
On Saturday evening, students from the Grainger Band and Stanhope Band were treated to games and a swim in the pool. With the giant inflatable obstacle course, students had a wonderful evening of fun and friendship.
Special thanks must go to the music staff and parent helpers for all their support, talents and time to make this an enriching learning experience for your daughter.
Week 4 Learning Photos
A message from the Junior School Administration Office
Thank you for notifying the office if your daughter has change travel after school or has an appointment. Could we kindly request for you to include your daughters full name and class on all correspondence so we can respond to your request quickly and pass the message onto your daughter.
Term 1 2024 Key Dates
Friday 23 February JSPG Kindy breakfast 8.15am-9.15pm
Friday 23 February Kindy Exploring Pymble Tour (incursion) – girls to wear PE uniform
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
Monday 26 February Author Visit Years 1 and 2 8.30-9.30
Tuesday 27 February Allwell Testing – catch ups
Wednesday 28 February JSPG Term 1 meeting 8.15am-9.15am
Wednesday 28 February Year 2 NSW Schoolhouse Museum excursion
Thursday 29 February Years 3-6 Cross Country
Friday 1 March Class Photos 8.30am – 1.00pm
Friday 1 March PPA Icebreaker
Saturday 2 March IPSHA Saturday Sport
Monday 4 March – Friday 15 March Duckling hatchings visit Kindergarten
Monday 4 March International Women’s Day Assembly 3-6
Tuesday 5 March IPSHA Swim and Dive Carnival
Friday 8 March International Women’s Day
Saturday 9 March IPSHA Saturday Sport
From the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG)
JSPG Meeting for Term 1 – Wednesday 28 February
Junior School parents and carers are welcome to join us at the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG) Term 1 Meeting on Wednesday 28 February from 8.15am to 9.15am in the 3-6 Junior School Library.
You are welcome to either join in person or via the live Microsoft Teams link.
There will be an update on the College Master Plan, while Kate Brown and Lara Bird will provide an update on Academics. There will be time at the end of the meeting for questions. No registration required. We look forward to seeing you there!
*LAST CALL* Icebreaker – 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 Friday 23 February. Please note this is a parent only event and registration is essential.
Do you need child minding?
The Junior School has very generously organised a FREE babysitting service in the John Reid Hall from 6.45pm to 8.15pm (earlier than the Icebreaker finish time of 9pm). There will be an optional G-rated movie or craft activities. This is for enrolled Pymble Junior School students only – sorry, no siblings. Spots are limited to the first 75 children registered. Please be aware no food is provided – students are to eat dinner before they arrive.
JSPG Family Movie Night – Saturday 6 April
Please save the date for our JSPG Family Movie Night on Saturday 6 April. We are planning a BBQ dinner, followed by a G rated movie on the Main Oval. This is our only full Junior School family event together – come along and enjoy the beautiful backdrop of the College as the sun sets. We’ve moved the date forward this year while the weather is still warm. More details to come soon.
Upcoming Events
- 1R Class Play Date at JUMPd – Sunday 10 March
Please see the flyer for details and RSVP to your Class Parents by 23 February.
- 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.
Please contact us with any questions or feedback at pymblelcjspg@gmail.com
Kate Brown
Head of Junior School