From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
This year we are, as a Junior School, focusing on noticing the little things and celebrating them in a myriad of ways. Each week our Junior School staff team reflect on the joy and pride they find in leading the learning of our girls. One of the many highlights of my week is reading these reflections as each one I read reminds me of the exceptional professionalism, care and dedication of the Junior School team. Your daughters are very lucky to have these phenomenal adults guiding their learning and emotional adventures. Here are some of the moments of joy of the teaching team from the last couple of weeks:
“Seeing students pop like a bag of popcorn as they realise they know new things.“
“Hearing students shout for joy when I say we are doing science.”
“Witnessing that lightbulb moment in a child’s learning.”
“Seeing the sense of belonging amongst the girls and being part of the positive and supportive learning environment.”
Noticing our girls’ passions
This week I am very proud to formally announce our Junior School Bike Mechanics crew who now proudly wear their official vests as they work with Mr Justin Raymond, Deputy Principal Students and check the operational effectiveness of our bikes and scooters. As they work, these girls are being trained in basic bike mechanics and growing skills and confidence as mechanics and leaders.
Our Junior School bike mechanics crew are Bhuvika Bhatia, Maddie Dreverman, Sasha Fairclough, Olivia Hedley and Isabel Khattar.
Noticing and honouring student voice
I am proud of the way we encourage and foster student voice across the College. Each weekend I enjoy reading the many letters and pictures girls deliver to me via our fabulous Frank Green inspired post box. Each week there are ideas and requests for ways to improve our Junior School and I value each one.
This week I have had a polite and measured request from Sooin (Year 5) to consider pants as part of the winter uniform and as with all such ideas, I write back to the student and, for many of those ideas, I do what I can to bring them to life. I am proud of how many ideas we have enabled this year which include:
- Art club led by a group of Year 3 students
- A weekly wellbeing/mindful club led by Aisha and Maya (Year 5) in our new calm zone
- An environmental initiative in learning how to make paper led by Mia F (Year 5)
- A Drama workshop, an initiative of Maisie (Year 4)
- Our very own Swifties club, an initiative of Savannah (Year 6).
In Term 4, we will be introducing an idea for Year 6 which Alice Jiang is currently working on with Ms Davenport, Mrs Giles and me. I am so proud of the way our girls think of initiatives which will bring joy to others and have a positive impact on our community rather than things for themselves. The future is in very safe hands with our Pymble girls.
A message from Mr Robinson – Acting Deputy Head of Junior School – Operations
STEAM Festival and Windows Into Learning
The countdown is on to the STEAM Festival and Windows into Learning on Friday 28 June, with a special premiere of our stage performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for parents from 6.00pm on Thursday 27 June.
Please indicate your attendance to any of the event by clicking here.
Detailed schedules of the day have been sent to parents via the MyPymble parent portal, which outline the activities that each grade will undertake during the day.
- 8.35am Event commences in the Gymnasium
- 9.45am Hourly rotations in the Junior School commence
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- STEAM Alley
- Marketplace (Years 2 to 6)
- STEM Craft (Year 1)
- Build-a-Bear (Kindergarten)
- 12.45pm BYO Picnic lunch in the playground, with the ability to pre-order lunch through Flexischools
- 1.15pm Windows Into Learning commences, with parents invited into learning spaces
- 2.15pm Event concludes. Students may depart with parents if they sign out with their Compass teachers.
Marketplace
Students in Years 2 to 6 will be able to visit and make purchases from the STEAM Marketplace on Friday 28 June during their rotations. All purchases cost no more than $2, but students must pre-purchase tokens throughout the week. Students are invited to bring no more than $10 in during the week, and the equivalent number of tokens will be provided to students on Friday morning.
Special note: a special marketplace will occur on Thursday afternoon where students will be given tokens to make purchases before their performance.
Afternoon Departure Procedures
It is vitally important that students are well supervised in the afternoon and that the College is aware of student movement, so we can support students and ensure their safety.
- Grey House Walk: Students who exit the campus via Grey House Walk must do so with a parent or carer. If they are meeting the parent on the street, or walking to a nearby house, they must carry an authorised Grey House Pass provided by the Junior School office. Students who do not have a pass, will need to wait with the teacher or at the Junior School office for later collection.
- Collection via Grandview Street: Students in Years 3 to 6 who wish to be collected from Grandview Street or walk home to a nearby residence will from Term 3 be required to carry a Grandview Street Pass. This will be shown to the Junior School teacher on duty at the station overpass. Students without a pass will return with the teacher to the Junior School for later collection.
Wellbeing Weekly – Kate Giles, Head of Wellbeing K-6
Junior School Service Challenge
I am excited to share that the Junior School girls have surpassed the target of 2,000 acts of service completed collectively this term! The girls have completed almost 2,600 acts of service, which have included helping at home by making their bed, looking after pets, teaching someone something new, planting a tree, taking part in the Lindfield Fun Run or donating items to charity. As a result of this, the girls decided to set a new challenge of 3,000 acts of service for the term! As we enter the final weeks of Term 2, please encourage your daughter to continue these small acts of kindness to be of service to those around her.
Y Safe
Thank you to those parents who were able to attend the ySafe presentation last week. This session covered important information such as online safety, social media, gaming, screen time recommendations and step-by-step instructions on how to set up a cyber safe home for children of all ages. For anyone who was not able to attend, please click here to view the recorded session. This recording will be available for the next two weeks.
Parent Wellbeing Series
In Term 3 we will be holding two workshops in our Parent Wellbeing Series. The first of these will be held on Thursday 1 August at 7.45am in the Junior School Library. The session will focus on supporting your daughter with her friendships, particularly in a digital world where girls are interacting with each other online. I will be leading this session with Emma Davenport, Year 6 Coordinator. Parents of all students from Kindergarten to Year 6 are welcome to attend. Please sign up by clicking here.
A message from Kurt Schweinberger – Head of Creative and Performing Arts K-6
Year 5 Showcase
The Year 5 Showcase, titled “What Do You Call Your Grandma,” was a spectacular event where over 160 talented students performed on the GMCPA stage. Through music, drama and dance, the students shared their rich cultural stories, celebrating the unique ways they call and honour the members of their family.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to the Year 5 Performing Arts teachers, Mrs. Maria Lee and Ms. Ellen Buckley, whose dedication and hard work made this showcase possible. We also extend our gratitude to the theatre staff for their invaluable support. It was an unforgettable performance that highlighted the creativity and diversity of our Year 5 students.
Week 9 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Our student performance, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, will be a highlight of the STEAM Festival for audiences of all ages to enjoy. This will take place in John Reid Hall and showcase the STEAM mindset of one of the most ingenious inventors of confectionery. This performance is a collaboration between students with help from teachers. As you watch, we know you will be proud that your girls have created choreography, set backgrounds and props for their own performance.
As we enter the final stage of our rehearsals, the excitement within the cast is building. The students are looking forward to sharing this special event with you and I am confident you will be amazed by the talent of our young performers.
The performance will run for approximately 45 minutes and will be held in the Junior School John Reid Hall. Below are the performance dates and times. Confirming members of the Pymble community may attend any of the performances listed below. As part of your attendance, audience members are asked to complete the RSVP form:
- Thursday 27 June, commencing at 6.00pm (Family and friends’ premiere, with parents who cannot attend on Friday invited to join)
- Friday 28 June, commencing at 9.45am
- Friday 28 June, commencing at 10.45am
- Friday 28 June, commencing at 11.45am
Junior School Digital News
Term 2 2024 Key Dates – Week 8 and 9
Tomorrow Year 1 Nature Play 1.00pm-2.00pm (girls to wear PE uniform and bring gumboots and raincoats)
Saturday 22 June IPSHA Saturday Sport
Saturday 22 June PPA Trivia Night – Mrs and Mr Brown, Mrs Bird and Mr Robinson will represent Junior School staff at this event
Monday 24 June Year 2 showcase recording
Thursday 27 June Steam Festival Charlie and Chocolate Factory parent preview
Friday 28 June STEAM Festival
Friday 28 June JSPG Build a Bear Kindergarten
From the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG)
- Trivia Night – Final Details
The Pymble Parent Association (PPA) Trivia Night is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to see you all on Saturday night. With over 260 people attending, it’s shaping up to be the biggest Trivia Night since 2018!
Important details
Location: Miramare Gardens, 48 Myoora Road, Terrey Hills
Please note: Entry is via 48 Myoora Road only, as there is no access from Mona Vale Road.
Parking: Ample parking is available on-site at Miramare Gardens
Doors open at 6.30pm for welcome drinks, table decorating and photos.
Trivia starts promptly at 7.00pm.
We have a full and exciting program planned, so please arrive on time to ensure we can kick off the festivities as scheduled. Now, let’s talk prizes!
We have fantastic prizes lined up for:
– Trivia winners
– Best individual costume
– Best group costume
– Best-dressed table (please note: no confetti permitted)
We also have an incredible array of raffle prizes and live and silent auction items generously donated by local businesses and the Pymble community. Come ready to support the fundraising efforts, and don’t forget to bring plenty of gold coins and small notes for the 50/50 and heads/tails rounds.
We hope you’re putting the finishing touches on your costumes and table decorations – we can’t wait to see your creativity shine.
The Trivia Night Committee is excited to share this wonderful event with you.
We’ll see you on Saturday!
- Build A Bear – Kindergarten on Friday 28 June
The JSPG is hosting a ‘Build-a-Pymble-Bear’ fundraiser on Friday 28 June during the Let’s Get Creative Festival. Girls will make their own beautiful plush toy, give it a heart and choose which of the College Core Values it will represent: Care, Courage, Integrity, Respect or Responsibility.
Students will get to take their bear home at the end of the day as a memento of their first year at Pymble. Funds raised will be donated to Bear Cottage.
Thank you Kindergarten parents for your support. We hope the girls have fun doing this activity as part of the STEAM Festival next week.
Please contact us with any questions at pymblelcjspg@gmail.com
Kate Brown
Head of Junior School