From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
It’s been another action-packed week in the Junior School with our Kindergarten, Year 2 and Year 5 girls all embracing the challenge and fun of their outdoor education programs. The Kindergarten girls headed off to Lane Cove National Park for a day immersed in nature where they extended their understanding of living things through their activities. Here are some of their reflections on the day:
“We saw so many little ducklings swimming in the water. They were following the big ducks. We also saw a blue tongue lizard. I loved the animals.” – Shirley Chen
“I had lots of fun. I loved going on the big walk because we saw stingrays, ducks and water dragons. I had never seen a water dragon in the wild before our big walk.” – Makayla Liu
“I made a wombat stew. We got water from the river and put in nuts, grass and leaves. We sang, ‘Wombat stew, wombat stew, gooey brewey, yummy chewy, wombat stew’. It was really fun.” – Audrey Sun
“I loved the nature treasure hunt. I found a sunset coloured leaf, a crown for a frog and a shiny rock.” – Lareina Sun
“I loved seeing the water dragons relaxing in the sun. We had to be quiet so they didn’t run away.” – Ingrid He
Year 2 had a wonderful day building their connection to country and learning to notice the many treasures there are to be found in nature at St Ives Wildflower Gardens. Here are some of their reflections from their Outdoor Education learning experience:
“I liked that we did activities where we could go scavenging for different things in the environment!” – Eleanor Lim
“I was excited that we got to make a habitat for a real blue tongue lizard, then we got to pat it!” – Olivia Liu
“I liked planting wattle seeds in small pots because we got to put them outside our classroom window and watch them grow!” – Lua Jung
“I liked making a home for Bandit the blue tongue lizard. I also liked bushwalking because we got to see a lovely view from the top.” Serena Adams
“My favourite part was when we got to see the blue tongue lizard. When I got to pat it, it felt relaxing and I loved it.” – Viola Li
Year 5 have shown their sense of camaraderie, care and courage throughout their Vision Valley adventures this week. The girls have tried archery, boat building, kayaking, abseiling, rock climbing and relaxed around a camp fire with s’mores and stories. There was also some highly competitive trivia which I was lucky enough to take part in on Monday evening with my team mates Sooin, Mahalia, Caroline, Audrey, Sophia and Isabelle. What has stood out the most is the way in which the girls cheer one another on through the activities and rally behind one another when faced with moments of challenge and natural apprehension. It’s clear Year 5 is ready to step up into leadership in 2025.
Kindergarten Windows into Learning – Heidi Lynch, Kindergarten Co-ordinator
Kindergarten welcomed their parents for a science lesson about seasonal changes. Together, we explored the shift from winter to spring, with the girls proudly sharing their knowledge about weather differences, daylight hours, and how nature awakens as winter fades.
The girls then worked together with their visitors to create seasonal scenes. Using a variety of materials, the girls designed either a winter or spring landscape, showcasing animals hibernating or migrating as the seasons change or the colourful signs of spring within our gardens and landscapes. The collaboration brought out creativity from both parents and the girls, a wonderful way to celebrate their learning collaboratively.
We then enjoyed a seasonal picnic lunch, where the girls had the opportunity to plant seeds with Mrs Brown and Mrs Bird. We are excited to hear how the seeds grow and develop! A big thank you to all the parents who took the time to join us in celebrating Kindergarten learning and creativity.
Celebrations in Snowsports and Robotics
We are also celebrating in our Junior School community this week as our Snowsports team have come home as national champions! We are extremely proud of all the girls who have committed many weekends over the past months to train for their ski and snowboarding season and we know there is a strong sense of team within our Snowsports community. Mr Tyson, Head of Sport is working with our Snowsports coaching team to organise a celebratory lunch for these girls.
Our Robotics teams have also enjoyed well deserved success at the regional competition at Knox on Monday and team 6510U (Bianca Ng, Chelsea Wang, Adeline Wu and Lily Zhang) won the Excellence Award for overall excellence in all categories will now proceed to State Championships later this year. 6510V (Lydia Chen, Emma Fu, Emma Popli and Charlotte Wu) won the Think Award for most effective coding design and techniques.
A message from Stephen Robinson – Deputy Head of Junior School – Operations
Friday Canteen
Due to the overwhelming response and the warmer weather, cold drinks/frozen treat will now be available to order from Term 4. We are seeking help from parents across the Junior School to assist on a Wednesday and Friday sorting lunch orders and handing out cold drinks/frozen treats that have been pre-ordered. Should you be willing to assist, please enter you name into one of the fields below (we are initially limiting the form to only accept one submission per person, to share this opportunity with all members of the community).
Please click here if you are able to assist.
Note: There will be no cash or card purchases of a Friday. Items are only available for pre-purchase via the Junior School Flexischools app. Years 5 and 6 may use this facility, or access Archie’s Cafe as normal.
OSHC Registrations
Please note that ALL Junior School students need to be registered at OSHC (through the Kidsoft website) in order to enrol in new or additional co-curricular offerings, including 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.
Water bottles
With the temperature increasing, a reminder to ensure you daughter has a named water bottle with her at school. Water bottle filling stations and water bubblers are available throughout the Junior School.
One week until opening night! Seussical – The Musical
“Oh, the thinks you can think” when Dr. Seuss’ best-loved characters collide and cavort in an unforgettable musical caper!
I hope you are excited for the upcoming Year 6 production of Seussical – The Musical. Please note that tickets are on sale via the GMCPA Box Office. Click here to purchase your tickets.
Performance Dates: Thursday 19 and Friday 20 September commencing at 7.00pm.
Ticket Price: $22
Confirming the production will run for approximately two hours (with a 20-minute interval).
We look forward to seeing you at the theatre!
Junior School Digital News
From the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG)
Garden Party – Saturday 21 September
It’s almost time for Garden Party! Here is a summary of the different stalls that still need volunteers to help make the day a huge success for our community!
If you could give an hour of your time to volunteer on one of the stalls, please sign up via the stall links below. We greatly appreciate your help and support.
Year 3 Ping Pong Bounce & Lollipop Stall
Year 4 Butterfly Balloon Burst Stall
BBQ Stall (a favourite with the Dads but all welcome to cook and / or serve)
Cake Stall (cake / baked good donations in particular still needed)
Japanese Food Stall – The Japanese Food stall is seeking volunteers and contributions. Please contact takako.davison@gmail.com
- JSPG Movie Night – Saturday 19 October
Please save the date for the JSPG Movie Night, rescheduled after the wet weather in April. More details to come via MyPymble soon.
Thank you as always for your support.
Please contact us with any questions at pymblelcjspg@gmail.com
Term 3 2024 Key Dates – Weeks 7 and 8
Friday 13 September Year 5 OEP Group 2 return from Vision Valley
Saturday 14 September IPSHA Saturday Sport
Wednesday 18 September Year 6 Musical Student Performance (Years 3 to 5)
Thursday 19 September Year 6 Musical Performance 1
Friday 20 September Year 6 Musical Performance 2
Saturday 21 September Garden Party
Kate Brown
Head of Junior School