From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
This week we celebrated Science Week across the Junior School, and we thank Dr Jennifer Tan, anaesthetist, proud Junior School mum and Pymble alumni who launched Science Week for Years 3 to 6 with a presentation on the power of STEM in our assembly on Monday. Dr Tan spoke to the girls about the power of curiosity and questioning as scientists and how Science shows the magic there is in all aspects of our world. Thank you, Dr Tan, for sharing your wisdom and your journey from schoolgirl to phenomenal anaesthetist at Royal North Shore Hospital.
There is good news from the Australian government on the state of STEM gender equity with data from 2023 showing that 48 per cent of parents in Australia talk to their daughters about STEM at least once a week (an increase of 6 per cent from 2022) and girls now make up the majority of students in Year 12 STEM subjects. Whilst the number of women in STEM occupations has increased by 68 per cent from 2012 to 2022, there is still work to be done in terms of equity as only 23 per cent of senior management and 8 per cent of CEOs in STEM qualified industries are women. #watchuschangetheworld.
Throughout the week our girls were able to explore and investigate through a series of activities on offer outside Hedgehog House including making electrical circuits using lemons, bubble structure challenge, gravity defying paper clips, using Spheros and making an animal using only six Lego blocks. Each of these activities is designed to challenge the girls’ thinking, encourage creativity and foster a problem-solving mindset.
During Science lessons, our girls are learning to be more independent as learners, working collaboratively to discover answers for themselves and justifying their findings. Whilst this is often hard and can be frustrating, the girls are learning critical skills in how to be tenacious as they investigate and it’s lovely to see and hear how passionate the girls are about Science:
Dora Chen (Year 5): “I love Science because of the questions and logic in it, for example, we actually see upside down, our brain just turns our vision right side up. Does that mean we can defy gravity and are upside down? I also like the deep questions where we have to really 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 about it.”
Hayley Du (Year 5): “I love Science because I always get to learn information I never knew. Science is absorbing, and you never know what happens next. Maybe your project/experiment fails, or maybe it succeeds. That’s the best part. You can always keep trying when it fails. 😃”
Emma Feng (Year 5L): “I think that Science allows students like me to push harder and above our limitations to learn. In Mars Ascent, I had fun learning about all the aspects of launching, such as aerodynamics, gravity and parts of the rockets. I was also super excited and glad that we had the privilege to go up to high school and get the materials necessary to build our rockets. I loved seeing the fabulous fails of the rockets as well. Science has the been the subject that I have learnt most about this year, and I realised something that I have never noticed or thought about, what is beyond the universe? It is not really related to rockets, but it is a question that maybe no one would be able to answer! But I still want to know, really, really badly. So, I have learnt that I am a very curious scientist.”
Angelina Kim (Year 5): “I love Science because there is no limit when completing my work. There are so many topics not yet discovered in the universe. Science is all around me, whether it is gravity pulling us down or simply forces, including actions such as pulling or pushing. I love how physics just works on its own like magic, casting a spell of innovations and possibilities into my mind. I also enjoy how chemistry explodes and pops and plops into me, their functions operating in such a weird yet interesting way.”
Vanessa Li (Year 5): “I love Science because it helps me express my understanding of the universe, which is filled with surprises. The more you learn about something in it, the more you discover about it. It’s just like a tree, it starts with the trunk, then it links to the main branch, which is then linked to three others; you can choose one to follow to find more branches in an infinite loop!”
Chloe Huang (Year 4): “In Science I loved going to all the stations in the classes, and my favourite was about heat. I loved learning that metal is a good conductor of heat and having lots of experiments. My favourite experiment was that if you blow a balloon with water in it on the bottom, and you light a flame under the water, the balloon won’t pop!”
Arin Sadananda (Year 4): “Last term I enjoyed doing the different rotations in different classes and learning with different teachers, for each class there was a different activity for example 4K was learning about solar energy and got to build solar cars. In 4L we learnt about different types of light and holograms. We had two weeks of each rotation and two weeks on our final presentation where we got to choose if we wanted to improve a solar car to make it faster or if we wanted to make a light show based on a celebration.”
Olivia Jin (Year 4): “I enjoyed the Science rotations which included sources of energy such as sun, wind, heat and light energy. I liked the balloon experiment the most which included the energy of heat. I chose to do the Sunsprint Challenge which was making solar panel cars and improving the design and adding modifications such as adding an F1 car tail gear, adding more wheels or adding more weight. I found working together as a team challenging because we all wanted different modifications, so it was difficult making a final agreement but in the end we came together to build an amazing design.”
Kaylee Yang (Year 4): “In Term 2, I enjoyed doing the Science rotations because I got the chance to share my knowledge with my class, my teachers and get feedback from different people. It was really cool how my parents also got to see it at windows into learning, I felt so proud of what I had achieved and made.”
Siena (Year 3): “I have enjoyed the Lego Spike as it has shown us how the Earth rotates and revolves around the sun.”
Echo (Year 3): “I liked learning about the sundials because when I was young I always wondered how people could tell the time because there was no technology.”
Grace L (Year 3): “I loved making the Oobleck because I am fascinated how cornflour and water can turn into a non-Newtonian fluid.”
A message from Mr Dan Brown, Head of STEM K-6
We are thrilled to celebrate Science Week with an exciting new addition to our school’s resources: the World of Possibilities website, which you can explore here and through the MyPymble parent portal by searching STEM in the shortcuts menu.
The World of Possibilities has been created by the wonderful Ms Lee, whose passion for STEAM and the arts is second to none. Through her creation students can dive into creative challenges like building candy structures, solving mysteries with forensic science and designing eco-friendly factories. These activities are designed to spark curiosity and creativity, making science fun and accessible for everyone.
Additionally, our amazing STEM Leaders have set a challenge for K-2 and 3-6. View the website for more.
The Magic of Science
At its heart, Science is like magic – the magic of understanding how the world works. Every discovery, from the way apples fall from trees to the way rainbows form, is a piece of that magic revealed. Just as Isaac Newton found the magic in an apple falling, Marie Curie discovered the magic in glowing elements, and Galileo saw the magic in the stars above. Science is all about finding the magic in everyday life, and through these activities, we hope to inspire our students to see the world with wonder and curiosity. During lunchtimes this Science Week, students have been finding this magic through bubbles, gravity defying paperclips, lemon circuits, construction and the diversity of life in our playground.
The Importance of Curiosity and Creativity
At our school, we believe that curiosity is the key to learning, and creativity is the tool that unlocks endless possibilities. Science Week, coupled with our World of Possibilities website, is all about encouraging students to ask questions, think outside the box, and explore new ideas. By participating in these activities, students not only learn about the world around them but also develop critical thinking and problem solving skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
Sharing Creations and Earning House Points
After completing their creations, students can proudly post their work on a dedicated Padlet, where they can share with their peers and receive feedback. Additionally, house points will be awarded for participation and creativity, adding an extra layer of excitement and motivation.
We encourage you to explore the website together at home and discuss the activities that spark your child’s interest. Let’s make Science Week a celebration of creativity, exploration, and discovery!
A message from Lara Bird, Deputy Head of Junior School – Academics
This week the Junior School girls participated in Science activities both in the classroom and at lunchtime in recognition of National Science Week – Species Survival – More than just Sustainability.
Across Kindergarten to Year 6 our girls are actively engaged in weekly Science lessons that foster curiosity and critical thinking. Lessons spark the girls’ interest in a wide range of future career opportunities and helps them understand the world around them.
These lessons are designed to encourage the girls to take an active role in their learning, prompting them to ask insightful questions and explore a variety of ways to solve problems and find solutions. Whether they are collaborating on experiments, investigating natural phenomena, or tackling real world challenges, the girls are continuously applying their critical thinking and creative problem solving skills. This hands on approach ensures that the girls not only understand scientific concepts but also appreciate the importance of evidence based decision making.
Our Science programs emphasise the development of diverse thinking skills. With a focus on building a STEM mindset, the girls are provided with opportunities to apply and develop their computational thinking, design thinking, scientific thinking, and systems thinking as they encounter new problems, unfamiliar information and innovative ideas. Together with their teachers, the girls use strategies to organise data, break down problems into parts and interpret patterns. By using design thinking methods, the girls try to understand the problem, ideate, evaluate and test their designs. During scientific investigations, the girls ask questions, observe and gather data, and learn to communicate their findings by applying scientific language and through scientific diagrams.
By developing their skills and nurturing their curiosity, we want the girls to be confident in their ability to use evidence, ask questions, be challenged when solving problems and continue to be curious about the world around them.
ICAS
If your daughter is unwell on the day we are invigilating ICAS, we will organise a make-up day. Please do not send your daughter to school unwell.
A message from Mr Robinson – Deputy Head of Junior School – Operations
An important notice about OSHC Registration
Commencing in Term 4, it will be a requirement that all Junior School students be registered for OSHC (through the Kidsoft Website) in order to enrol in new or additional co-curricular offerings. This includes swimming and tennis. If your daughter is not registered with OSHC she will not be able to be enrolled in any co-curricular activities from Term 4, 2024.
I strongly encourage all families to register with OSHC now, in order to access both the Term 4 activities, but also 2025 offerings when they go live on 20 November 2024.
Wellbeing Weekly – Kate Giles, Head of Wellbeing K-6
Parent Wellbeing Series
The next session of the Parent Wellbeing Series will be held on 22 August at 8.45am. The session will be focused on helping to support your daughter to build self-confidence and healthy body and self-image and I will be joined by Dr Danielle Ellis, one of our Junior School Psychologists. To register for this event, please click here.
A message from Heidi Lynch – Sustainability Club
Nature Poetry Competition
Our Year 6 Sustainability leaders wish to celebrate the beautiful greenery and wildlife throughout the stunning environment in which we are lucky enough to learn and play in each day. This week in assembly, they announced a Nature Poetry Competition.
The winning poems will be displayed along our College nature walks for students, teachers and parents to enjoy. They will also be published in the next issue of Curiosus to celebrate the girls’ creativity and expression.
Please hand in all entries to Hedgehog House by Friday 30 August (Please include your full name and class).
A message from Kurt Schweinberger, Head of Creative and Performing Arts K-6
Congratulations to our outstanding bands!
We are thrilled to share the fantastic achievements of our talented musicians at the Ryde Eisteddfod. The Grainger Concert Band delivered a stellar performance, earning a well-deserved 2nd place in their category. Their dedication and hard work were evident in every note they played.
A special round of applause goes to our Junior Jazz Band, who took home 1st place with their incredible performance. The energy and enthusiasm they brought to the stage was truly remarkable.
These achievements are a testament to the talent and commitment of all our students, guided by their dedicated conductor, Mrs. Patrice Goodman. Well done to everyone involved.
Around the Grounds
Junior School Digital News
From the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG)
- Father’s Day Breakfast – Friday 6 September
You are warmly invited to a BBQ breakfast to celebrate Father’s Day on Friday 6 September from 7am – 8.15am at Hedgehog House. This event is open to all Pymble students and their fathers or father figures.
Please purchase parent and student tickets here if you would like to attend.
All proceeds will be donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
- Garden Party – Saturday 21 September
Junior School Poster Competition
With just under one month to go until Pymble’s biggest event of the year, Junior School students are encouraged to enter the Garden Party Poster Competition.
First prize: 50 house points
Highly commended: 25 house points
All submitted entries will receive 5 house points
Entries are to be submitted to the Junior School Office by Friday 23 August 2024. All posters entered will be displayed at Garden Party 2024. Prizes and certificates will be presented at Assembly in the week before Garden Party. Multiple entries are welcome.
Click here to download a copy of the poster which you can print at home. Students / parents can also pick up copies at Junior School reception.
Cake Stall
The stall caters to a broad range of customers from those wanting a delicious on-the-go snack to keep up their energy levels, to those looking to take home a cake, tart or pie for a special occasion. All baked goods are welcome!
You can help in two ways by:
- Baking delicious cakes, biscuits, slices and treats for sale.
- Assisting on the stall during the day.
The cakes and baked goods can be dropped off at the stall in the foyer of the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts (GMCPA) on the day of the Garden Party from 7.30am.
We also need volunteers to work on the stall and sell the delicious treats throughout the day. If you can help at the stall for an hour, please register here.
There are also competitions for cake decorating and cake box decorating, with generous prizes on offer. More information to come soon.
Lucky Prize Stall
We are excited to announce that our Year 5 and 6 students will be running the Lucky Prize Stall at the upcoming Garden Party! To make this event a success, we need your help. We’re looking for volunteers to assist at the stall throughout the day.
If you’re available to lend a hand, please sign up to support this fun and rewarding activity by clicking here. Your involvement will make a huge difference.
Thank you, as always, for your support.
Please contact us with any questions at pymblelcjspg@gmail.com
Term 3 2024 Key Dates – Weeks 4 and 5
Friday 16 August – Year 4 Incursion State Library 2.00pm
Friday 16 August – Years 1-2 Showcase Performance 2.00pm
Friday 16 August – Years 1-2 Showcase Performance 5.00pm
Saturday 17 August – IPSHA Saturday Sport
Monday 19 August – Friday 23 August Book Week – Reading is Magic.
Monday 19 August – ICAS Spelling Bee
Tuesday 20 August – ICAS Science
Thursday 22 August – igsa Track and Field Heats
Thursday 22 August – Parent Wellbeing Series: Body Image 8.45am
Friday 23 August – igsa Track and Field Championships
Kate Brown
Head of Junior School