From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
Welcome to Term 4. It’s been fabulous to see the girls back at school and bringing the magic of their smiles and joy for learning. This term, we extend a warm welcome to Lola Xu (Year 5).
This term we are focusing on kindness to self and as part of that focus we will continue to look at how we live our College values in our behaviour everyday. Being courageous and challenging yourself to step outside your comfort zone, to challenge your thinking and to persevere tenaciously with things that are tricky are all ways of being kind to yourself.
There is no shortage of courage on display amongst our Junior School girls and the way they embrace learning opportunities. This week alone we had Lola Xu being courageous in settling into her new class and school, and a group of Year 6 girls being courageous as they act as buddies and learning leaders for students from Milingimbi visiting Sydney and Canberra. Many thanks to these students.
Courage is also in abundance in our hall at lunchtimes as our girls showcase their singing, dancing, music and drama as they audition for our PJ Factor Showcase. It’s a privilege to watch our girls and see how they challenge themselves to step outside their comfort zone and perform on stage.
This week I want to give a shout out to the courage and talent of the who submitted original artworks for the 2025 Junior School diary cover competition. Judging has been very challenging, and the winner will be announced next week. Here are some of the phenomenal entries we received.
Wishing courage to our Year 12 girls
On the last day of Term 3, our Year 6 girls gave their time to sew felt hearts and write positive messages of good luck to our Year 12 girls who are courageously facing their HSC exams over the next few weeks. We decorated a wooden tree in the atrium of the Year 12 learning area on the first day of term to surprise the Year 12s and they were so touched by the care gifted to them by the act of kindness from our Year 6 girls. Thank you, Year 6, for leading with kindness and care to others.
Congratulations to our Robotics girls
Congratulations to all our girls who competed courageously at the recent FLL competition, which was, by all accounts, a hotly contested competition. All our teams performed exceptionally well and it’s very exciting that two of our FLL teams (Cosmic Tacos and Robotics Sharks) are progressing to Nationals. Congratulations to all these teams:
Cosmic Tacos (Aarna Ashwin, Salma Hassan, Meera Goluhan, Sissi Ko, Sarah Tew, Lexi Wu): 1st place in Project Innovation and qualified for Nationals
Robotics Sharks (CJ Shelmerdine, Imogen Martin, Safina Burgess, Candice Li, Joanna Li, Isabella Wang): 1st place in Core Values and qualified for Nationals
Hungry Pandas (Sooin Lee, Ivanka Jia, Chloe Yie, Isabella Zhang) won the Peer Admiration award
Tortilla Turtles (Melanni Baker, Lily jiao, Rosie han, Renee Kong, Anna Xu, Michelle Ng, Zoey Wen) 2nd place in the Robot game.
Wellbeing Weekly – A message from Mrs Kate Giles – Head of Wellbeing K-6
Thank you to the number of parents who have attended the Parent wellbeing series this year. The final session in the 2024 Wellbeing Series will be held on 31 October at 8.45am in the 3-6 Library. This session will be focused on supporting your daughter to manage worries, change and uncertainty. I will be leading this session alongside Dr Danielle Ellis and Frieda Stemp, our Junior School Psychologists. Please sign up for the event using this link.
We will be holding further parent Wellbeing Series sessions in 2025. If you have any feedback from the sessions or there are any particular areas that you would like to learn more about in sessions next year, please email me at kgiles@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au
A message from Mr Robinson – Deputy Head of Junior School – Operations
OSHC Registrations
It is with thanks to parents and carers that we have now surpassed 82 per cent of students (Kindergarten to Year 5) being registered with OSHC. This important step not only provides a backup plan for when pickup may not go as planned but will allow students to be eligible to select co-curricular activities for 2025 (including tennis and swimming).
Separate instructions will be shared via MyPymble notices that demonstrate where to find your OSHC registration number within Kidsoft, as this number will be a mandatory field when registering for 2025 co-curricular activities on 20 November 2024.
A message from Mr Kurt Schweinberger – Head of Creative and Performing Arts K-6
Junior School Ensemble Concert: Symphony of Sounds
Members of the College community are warmly invited to the Junior School Ensemble Concert, Symphony of Sounds, on Wednesday 30 October, starting at 6:30 pm in the GMCPA. This evening will showcase the incredible talents of our young musicians, with a diverse collection of performances featuring various musical styles and ensembles. From vibrant strings to lively woodwinds and captivating choral pieces, the concert promises to be a celebration of the hard work and dedication our students have put into their music.
Tickets can be purchased through the GMCPA Box Office, with all proceeds going to support the Music Support Group, whose contributions play a vital role in enhancing the music programme for our students.
Parents of students who are performing are kindly requested to check the Parent Portal for additional information regarding performance times, dress requirements and concert information.
We look forward to seeing you there for an evening of unforgettable music.
Junior School Digital News
From the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG)
JSPG Movie Night – this Saturday 19 October
We are crossing everything for good weather for our movie night this Saturday!
Date: Saturday 19 October
Time: 4.30pm to 8.30pm
Location: Main Oval
The evening will feature food stalls, a big screen movie screening of Migration, popcorn and an inflatable obstacle course. BYO seating including cushions, rugs or low chairs.
The movie will commence as soon as possible after 7.00pm, sunset and light permitting.
If you didn’t purchase a ticket but would still like to come, we will be selling tickets on the day for $15 that include the movie, popcorn and the inflatable obstacle course, but not the barbecue. These ticket holders can purchase food and drinks separately at the event.
Parking will be available at Gate 2 and 3. Please note that Gate 1 will be closed from 1pm with no access after this time.
Year 3 Mums Lunch
Date: Friday 8 November
Time: 2.00pm
Location: Greengate Hotel, Killara
Thank you as always for your support.
Please contact us with any questions at pymblelcjspg@gmail.com
Key Dates – Week 1 and 2, Term 4
Friday 18 October Years 3-6 PJ Factor heats
Saturday 19 October IPSHA Saturday Sport
Saturday 19 October Kindy 2025 Picnic
Saturday 19 October JSPG Family Movie night
Tuesday 22 October PPA AGM 6.00pm to 7.00pm, held in the David Macfarlane Centre
Tuesday 22 October College Board Thank You Drinks 7.00pm to 9.00pm, held on Gloucester Lawn
Friday 25 October Links Day
Thursday 24 October Online Parent Information Session 5.00pm to 6.00pm
Saturday 26 October IPSHA Saturday Sport
Saturday 26 October 2025 New Families Picnic
Speech Day and Celebration of Learning Dates
Tuesday 3 December Years 3 to 6 Speech Day (9.00am to 11.00am)
Tuesday 3 December Kindergarten Nativity and Celebration of Learning (11.30am to 1.00pm)
Tuesday 3 December Years 1-2 Celebration of Learning (2.00pm to 3.00pm)
Kate Brown
Head of Junior School