From the Junior School

A message from our Kindness Captains

Sooin Lee, Nouvelle Nicholson, Christina Yang, Isabella Yue

We are so excited that we have already reached the challenge target set by Mrs Brown! We have now achieved 2,300 acts of service so far this term and we’re still going! We are now looking to complete 5,000 acts of service as a Junior School.

Thank you

Thank you to all our Year 3 and 5 parents who were able to attend our Windows into Learning last week. I know the girls were proud to share aspects of their learning with you and I am sure you were impressed by the girls’ depth of thinking, their confidence as learners and their willingness to seek out challenge and stick with things that are tricky.

As we head towards the long weekend, I hope we can all take the chance to enjoy life at a slower pace for a few days. Taking time out to be still, to be mindful and to just ‘be’ are powerful strategies to support wellbeing and it’s important we model these tools to the girls wherever possible. They continue to give their all to each day and we are so proud of their efforts so far this term. I hope that time to relax during this longer weekend will help energise the girls ready to finish the rest of the term strong and seeking out challenge in their learning. I know that as parents we often fear the phrase, ‘I’m bored…’ but being bored offers an opportunity for children to lean into their imagination and create their own play – so I hope our girls have time to ‘be bored’ this long weekend! I look forward to hearing about the games, adventures and stories they create through their boredom.

When I became Head of Junior School in 2020, I introduced the concept of unstructured play/risky play to our Junior School. At the outset some girls were unsure, as indeed were a number of teachers, about exactly ‘how’ to play with the loose parts on offer or what the expectations or ‘rules’ were for their play. We’ve come a long way together over the last few years and through our commitment to outdoor play with loose parts, bikes and scooters, our girls have grown in resilience and courage. Our focus on risky play has become an integral part of our Junior School and is much loved by the girls in Year 3-4 who have it timetabled into their curriculum. I want to thank you for your continued trust in us and the way we lead learning through play for our girls. Please enjoy reading more on the power of play from Mrs Giles, Head of Wellbeing K-6.

A message from Mrs Kate Giles, Head of Wellbeing K-6

Active play in nature and outdoors, with risks, is essential for the girls’ healthy development. This risky play, alongside participation in sport, are the key drivers of resilience, confidence and academic performance in children, particularly girls. When children are trusted with risk and supported through challenge, they learn to trust themselves. They become more willing to try, to speak up, and to lead on the sports field, in the classroom and later in the workplace.

What do we mean by risky play?

Risky play does not mean engaging in dangerous or reckless behaviour, instead, risky play refers to play that involves thrilling, exciting and physically challenging activities that allow children to explore and test their limits in a controlled and supportive environment, such as:

Height and elevation– such as the rope swings the girls make in the trees in the valley playground.
Speed and momentum– such as the scooters and bikes the girls use at lunchtimes.
Use of risky or adult tools– such as our bike mechanics, Formula Goblin and STEM leaders who use adult tools to create and fix things.
Interaction with natural elements and loose parts– such as our unstructured play sessions where the girls play in the valley and use loose parts such as pipes, tyres, ropes and small items to construct, build and be creative.
Play with a chance of “getting lost” – hiding in the bushes or wandering in the woods- such as play in the Riverbed or Valley Playground and our Outdoor Education Programs.
Rough-and-tumble play – Such as during unstructured play where the girls build cardboard slides and slide down the hill on them together.

While the term ‘risky’ might sound concerning, this type of play is not about danger but about calculated challenges that help children to:

Build confidence and resilience
Develop motor skills and coordination
Learn to assess risks and make safer choices
Foster independence and problem-solving abilities.

It is essential that children learn to understand risk, how to take calculated risks and step outside of their comfort zone. According to a 2021 review published in Frontiers in Psychology, children who engage in risky play develop stronger problem solving skills, improved emotional regulation and a better sense of agency. These experiences teach children how to assess danger, learn from failure and take initiative, all of which are foundations to build resilience.

In the Junior School, we actively design our play spaces, curriculum and compass programs to include healthy challenges. We encourage the girls to take calculated risks, try new things and reflect upon what they have learned from these experiences. As parents and educators, our role is not to remove all risks- it is to guide the girls as they navigate them, helping our girls grow into capable, courageous and confident young women.

A message from Mrs Lara Bird, Deputy Head of Junior School – Academics

ICAS Assessments

Information regarding ICAS Assessments is available on the My Pymble Parent Portal. These optional competitions will be held before school for Years 3-6 in Term 3.

AMC Assessments

Information on the Australian Mathematics Competition Assessment is available on the My Pymble parent portal.

A Message from Mr Stephen Robinson, Deputy Head of Junior School – Operations

College Uniform

A few reminders regarding our winter uniform standards:

Students are expected to wear their blazer to and from school throughout Term 2 and Term 3 on non-PE days
When wearing PE uniform, students are to wear their tracksuit jacket for warmth. Students are not to wear co-curricular hoodies as their primary clothing.
Please ensure all uniform is fully labelled, as we have an abundance of lost property collecting each day.

Junior School Canteen Helpers

The Junior School Canteen will continue for Term 2 on Wednesday and Friday. Junior School allows students to purchase (through Flexi-Schools) cold drinks and frozen desserts. Once your order is placed your daughter will have a brown paper bag, where she will go to the Junior School Canteen (lunch tub room) to collect her cold treat.

Please click here if you can volunteer your time. For the care and safety of your daughters, all volunteers must have a current Working with Children Check Number (WWC). If we do not already have your WWC on file, please email to juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au your WWC number and date of birth so your WWC can be verified.

A Message from our Performing Arts Teachers

You are warmly invited to attend the Year 5 Showcase, taking place on Wednesday 18 June 2025 at 1.30 PM in John Reid Hall. This year’s theme, “Why Not?”, invites students to reflect on the power of possibility and the importance of imagination in shaping the world around them.

Through an engaging blend of dance, drama, and creative expression, students have worked collaboratively to craft a performance that challenges limitations and celebrates potential.

We would be delighted for you to join us for this special event, as we come together to recognise the creativity, growth, and enthusiasm of our Year 5 learners.

Date: Wednesday 18 June 2025
Time: 1.30 PM
Venue: John Reid Hall

Scholarship registrations open to current Year 5 students

Pymble offers a number of scholarships each year to girls starting in Year 7 including current Pymble students moving into Year 7. Registrations for the Year 7 2027 Rosalie Ramsay Junior Academic Scholarship and Year 7 2027 Performance Scholarship – Music are currently open to our Year 5 students.

Registrations close from 23 July 2025 depending on the scholarship. The examination will be held at the College on Sunday 10 August 2025.

Information about portfolio requirements and how to apply can be found online through the Scholarship webpage.

Junior School Digital News

Important Dates

Saturday 7 June – No Saturday Sport

Monday 9 June – King’s Birthday Public Holiday

Wednesday 11 June – K-2 Athletics Carnival

Saturday 13 June – IPSHA Saturday sport

Friday 27 June – Last day of Term 2

Tuesday 27 July – First day of Term 3