From the Middle School
The Year 8 National Exchange Program begins this Sunday and continues into next week. We have 25 excited students participating in this reciprocal exchange with schools in Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne. Middle School looks forward to hosting our exchange sisters here in Sydney from Wednesday till Saturday. Thank you to the families who will be billeting the girls, we appreciate working in partnership with you to ensure this is a really positive experience that sees all involved stepping up to independence and embracing opportunities.
Barbie Combined Assembly
Riley Atkinson (Year 8), Skye MacLeod (Year 8), Gabriella Sheh(Year 8), Amelia Watson (Year 8) and Lucy Simpson (Year 8) supported our Be Your Best Barbie assembly this week after an opportunistic conversation with Dr Hadwen which led to the creation of the barbie themed event. The group shared their admiration for the movie and how it empowered them to be their true selves and accept others as they are. The message of empowerment was shared through their video interviewing students in Year 7 to 12 and teachers on what they took from the movie and thoughts on being our best selves. The assembly concluded with an inclusive energetic dance performed together with the whole school.
Happy Box Update
Many of our Middle School girls are continuing to actively contribute to the Happy Box Project service initiative that provides remote Indigenous girls with items they may not easily get access to. Alongside the sanitary items requested, we have crafted a variety of handmade gifts to send: fabric scrunchies, origami paper cranes, felt animals to name just a few. We are asking the girls who have committed to this project to please bring in the sanitary items in a plastic bag with their names clearly marked by tomorrow Friday 4 August. Our intention is to continue crafting on Wednesdays and Fridays across the term, culminating in packing the Happy Boxes into beautifully designed and printed calico bags for delivery over the next term break. We are encouraging the girls to log their Service hours and are signing off on many student record sheets each week. Great work girls!
It is never too late to get involved!! We would like to be able to send as many Happy Boxes as possible so please encourage your daughters to join the craft sessions and as importantly, to drop off any sanitary items to the Middle School office as soon as possible (all late items will be graciously accepted). We would love all our Middle School families to be involved.
Below, is a list of suggested items and a link to the organisation for your further information. Sanitary items: period pants, pads, tampons, roll on deodorant, sheet-face masks, soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, mouthwash, face cleanser, moisturiser, hand sanitiser, shower gel, face washer and heat packs.
Our Middle School girls came together, as part of Gloucester Gatherings to make friendship bracelets. It was lovely to see so many girls enjoying the sunshine.
Year 7 Transition Leadership positions have now been finalised and offers made to over 60 students. Such an overwhelming response that demonstrates the willingness of our girls to support their Pymble sisters. This role is an opportunity for the girls to work with our Year 6 Junior School students on a program to assist with their transition to high school. More information regarding this role and other formal leadership positions is available on the Leadership Website . In Term 3 we will be launching the full suite of leadership positions for 2024 and would like to encourage all girls to consider applying.
Year 7 Vaccinations
NSW Health will be running their final vaccination clinic on Thursday 17 August. Students will be receiving the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) vaccine. Any Year 7 students or Year 8 students who have missed receiving the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, will have the opportunity to have a catch-up during this clinic. Students will only receive the vaccine if consent has been provided. If you would like your daughter to participate in the school vaccination program, you can provide online consent here. Year 7 students only will need to wear their sports uniform on this day.
Year 8 Outdoor Education
Year 8 Outdoor Education communications have been sent to parents on the Parent Portal. Please ensure you complete the consent forms by Friday 18 August. In Week 5 the girls will attend a presentation by Southbound detailing the experience. This will also be an opportunity for them to ask clarifying questions well ahead of attending this compulsory event as part of their Middle School program.
From the Year 7 and 8 PPA Co-ordinators
Year 7 Parents’ Dinner – Thursday 31 August at 7.00pm
Year 7 parents and carers are warmly invited to a dinner in the restaurant of the Greengate Hotel on Thursday 31 August at 7.00pm. This will be a fabulous opportunity to get together with parents from our Year 7 cohort.
Venue: The Greengate Hotel, Corner of the Pacific Highway and Greengate Road, Killara, 2071 (Enter the car park via the Pacific Highway)
Date: Thursday 31st August 2023
Time: 7.00 pm
Dinner & Drinks: To be ordered and paid for at the dining room bar
RSVP: by Tuesday 29 August (via a “WhatsApp Poll”)
Middle School Sweet Sensations Stall
Years 7 and 8 will be running the ‘Sweet Sensations Stall’ at this year’s Garden Party.
Thank you to all Year 7 and 8 families who have so generously donated funds to the Sweet Sensations Stall. Your support has been phenomenal!
We are still seeking assistance by way of a small donation so we can purchase the lollies and are currently just shy of our target. Contributions are voluntary. If you can support the stall, please click here. We very much appreciate any support you can provide.
A huge thank you to all the parents who have signed up to help at the stall on the day of the Garden Party. The volunteer roster at this early stage is already FULL. This is absolutely unbelievable and on behalf of the stall organisers, thank you for your support.
We look forward to enjoying this wonderful family event.
From Shiva, Carol, Tash, Kai and May
Key Dates in Term 3
13 to 19 August – Year 8 National Exchange
Friday 25 August – Year 7 to 12 igsa Athletics
11 to 15 September – Year 8 Outdoor Education
Saturday 16 September – Garden Party
Jenny O’Donnell
Head of Middle School