From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
Thank you to all our families who attended our Junior School Parent Group (JSPG) Movie Night last weekend. Thank you to all of you who helped plan, set up and run this event and for making sure the event was a huge success and lots of fun despite the weather’s attempts to create problems. True Pymble spirit was in action as the event planners relocated the event at the last moment so all the fun could continue – thank you!
Next week is our JSPG Annual General Meeting (AGM), an important event in our Junior School calendar. As we strive to be an inclusive Community of Kindness, representing and honouring all our families, our JSPG helps foster connection between families and the Junior School. Our JSPG also plan and lead logistics, to include finding necessary family volunteers, for Junior School events for your daughters. As you know these events are much loved by your daughters and as a school we cannot run them without your support.
This year we sadly farewell a number of our leaders who have completed their term of service and so we are looking for other parents to step forward and step into helping to plan and manage much love events for our girls. Thank you to Mr Percy Yang (dad to Christina [Year 5, 2024]) who has agreed to continue in his role as Relationship Leader in 2025.
Within our JSPG we have a variety of roles which include:
- Relationship Leader – these volunteers are responsible for liaising with the Junior School leadership team and parents to foster our Community of Kindness and to help ensure all families feel included and supported throughout the year; being a visible presence and networking with all families at Junior School events. These volunteers will convene or find others to convene Junior School events throughout the year and will liaise regularly with the Year Coordinators to recruit volunteers to run Junior School events for the girls. Two of the Relationship Leaders will serve as liaisons with the PPA to support the partnership between the JSPG and the PPA.
- Year Co-ordinator – these volunteers help welcome new families into their grade and coordinate communication across media platforms so all parents feel included and have someone to direct questions to. The Grade Coordinator is responsible for running the Grade Stall at the annual College Garden Party and finding volunteers to help run that stall. The Grade Coordinator organises play dates/community events to connect families within the grade in conjunction with the Class Coordinators. From 2025, Grade Coordinators will be invited to meet with Mrs Brown, Head of Junior School, Mr Robinson, Deputy Head of Junior School Operations, Community Engagement and the JSPG Relationship Leaders at the start of the year and at other times throughout the year as may be necessary
- Class Co-ordinator – these volunteers coordinate communication between families within their Compass class and help to build a sense of cohesion between families within that class. They help welcome new families and ensure they are supported as they settle into Pymble.
In terms of volunteering for Junior School events, please be advised that we would love to see many more volunteers next year – the more the merrier, as many hands make light work! For too long we have relied on just a very few volunteers to lead the many events we all enjoy and this needs to change if we are to continue to run these events. Please know that any contribution you can make as a volunteer will be welcomed and appreciated. Whilst I have always been a working mum, and for many years a solo parent, I volunteered at events for my daughters’ school when and where I could (I am very adept with a glue gun and creative projects!) and through my involvement I made my daughters proud and built friendships with other parents I still treasure today, many years after my daughters graduated school.
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 86 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 Mrs Lara Bird – Deputy Head of Junior School – Academics
Congratulations to Violet Li (Year 3) who has achieved commended in the Dorothea McKellar Poetry Competition 2024 for her poem A Magical City. The Dorothea McKellar Poetry Competition encourages students to express their thoughts and feelings through the medium of poetry. This year there were nearly 7,200 poems received from children across Australia. Well done, Violet – we are very Pymble proud of you!
Throughout the school year, the girls have embraced a range of challenges and enrichment activities both in and outside the classroom including ICAS, AMC, Maths Olympiad, Maths Games, Maths Challenge, Mathematical Association of NSW Investigating Mathematics Competition and Da Vinci Decathlon. They also showcased their creativity in both writing and poetry competitions, including Write a Book in a Day, OzKids in Print, Dorothea McKellar Poetry Competition and Pens against Poverty. The girls are currently composing poetry to enter the Wild with Words Competition.
By invitation workshops and events such as the IPSHA Speakers’ Challenge and the STEM workshop led by Mr Dan Brown, Head of STEM was hosted by Pymble last term, as part of Northside Gifted and Talented, have provided girls the opportunity to take on challenges and step outside their comfort zone, in turn helping them grow in confidence, build resilience, and discover new strengths. By engaging in diverse activities fosters citizenship in our girls encouraging them to consider their broader responsibilities and the world they are a part of.
2024 Year 3 String Graduation
We are thrilled to celebrate the Year 3 String students as they graduate from our instrumental program. This talented group of 50 students, comprising violinists, violists, cellists and double bass players, have demonstrated remarkable growth in their musical skills over the past year.
From beginners to those who had already embarked on their instrumental journey, each student has made significant strides in their technique and musicianship. Their dedication and hard work have not only enhanced their abilities but have also contributed to a wonderful sense of camaraderie within the ensemble.
Learning an instrument offers numerous benefits that extend beyond music. Studies show that playing an instrument can improve cognitive skills, boost academic performance and enhance creativity. Additionally, it fosters discipline, patience and perseverance – qualities that will serve these students well in all areas of life.
We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to seeing how their musical journeys continue to unfold. Congratulations to all Year 3 String students!
Keep making beautiful music.
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 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 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 6.30pm in the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts. 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)
Year 3 Mums Lunch
Date: Friday 8 November
Time: 2.00pm
Location: Greengate Hotel, Killara
Year 1 Families Christmas Party
Date: Sunday 24 November
Time: 1.00pm
Location: Bicentennial Park, West Pymble.
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 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