From the Middle School
This week, Year 7 joined their big sisters in Year 8 on campus after their adventures at Vision Valley. Once again, we would like to congratulate Year 7 on their enthusiasm whilst away. We would also like to thank Heads of Year, Mr Andrew Heggie and Ms Theresa Mimmo and their dedicated team of Compass Teachers who participated fully and supported Year 7 whilst away.
Below is a beautiful piece by Ella Zhang who is reflecting on her week at Vision Valley and conquering her fear as well as building reliance whilst participating in the ‘leap of faith’.
During the one-week journey, Year 7 participated in the following activities: bushwalking, abseiling, archery, orienteering, swimming, canoeing, rock climbing, high ropes, nature connections, raft building, mountain biking as well as a seven-kilometre hike to the Crosslands Reserve where they cooked group meals and spent the night in tents. The students thoroughly enjoyed this experience, in particular, the high ropes course.
In the high ropes course, there is an activity called Leap of Faith. In this activity, students climb up a 10m pole, and once the student gets to the top, they take a leap of faith and jump off (with a harness attached of course). This activity is done in compass groups, and everyone takes a turn and attempts the Leap of Faith. Throughout the course of this activity, every single student has battled the fear of heights to her own level, with the rest of her compass group cheering down below. Despite the initial fear, the feeling of being lowered to the ground and the achievement is all the worthwhile.
When everyone got on to the bus home, all their faces were filled with bright smiles. Everyone had lost quite a bit of energy, but they had all gained lifetime skills and memories as well as new built courage and trust to take home with them. It has been an incredible experience, but it would not have been the same had it not been for the hard work of the Middle School Staff, compass teachers and Vision Valley staff. Thank you to Pymble for organising such a wonderful program and thanks to all the teachers and staff who have dedicated their time to make this a memorable journey. – Ella Zhang, Year 7
Whilst away, Compass Teachers nominated students they believed showed resilience, teamwork and upheld the College Values throughout the week. It was an incredibly difficult decision with so many students showing courage, respect, integrity, care and responsibility. On Tuesday, we celebrated these students in Year 7 assembly. Congratulations to the following students:
Links Day
On Friday November 10, the Middle School is hosting Links Day for the incoming 2024 Year 7 class. I would like to acknowledge the student leadership team and Transition Leaders who have been working hard to make this day a success. Students have been organising a scavenger hunt, lunch time activities and decorations for our Middle School space to make Year 6 feel welcome.
Year 8 Five Ways to Wellbeing
On Tuesday in Mind Body Spirit this week Year 8 enjoyed some much needed play time on Main Oval. They were exercising some of their 5 Ways to Wellbeing such as connecting with others, learning a new skill and being active. It was a great opportunity to engage in fun and play, reconnecting with something that was special and much loved when they were in Year 7.
Leadership 2024
On Tuesday we announced the Year 8 2024 Leaders during assembly. We had a high standard of applications for leadership positions, and we are happy to congratulate the below leaders for 2024:
| Portfolio | Year 8 |
| Middle School Leader | Harriet Gregory |
| Middle School Leader | Ariana Azizmohammad |
| Middle School Leader | Ginny Makan |
| Middle School Leader | Estelle Lee |
| Gloucester Gathering Leader | Annabella Bayfield |
| Gloucester Gathering Leader | Emily Basak |
| Gloucester Gathering Leader | Madison Landgrebe |
| Gloucester Gathering Leader | Cecilia Bryant |
| Chapel Leader | Constance Chow and Annie Chen |
| Wellbeing Leader | Julia Zhu |
| Intercultural Leader | Isabel Chook |
| Communications Leader | Sophie Kidd |
| Community Service Leader | Bella Yang |
| Environment Leader | Sarah Wong |
| Bennett House Liaison | Jamilla Soo |
| Goodlet House Liaison | Amalia Bond |
| Hammond House Liaison | Claudia Wyatt |
| Ingleholme House Liaison | Aurora Zhang |
| Lang House Liaison | Eleanor Ramsay |
| Marden House Liaison | Selina Kerin |
| Thomas House Liaison | Sophie Heap |
| Wiley House Liaison | Sarah Joung |
Year 8 Environment Day
On Friday 17 November, Year 8 will have the opportunity to visit Vision Valley for a day of environmental service. As part of their Mind Body Spirit program, your daughter will participate in a range of activities run by expert provider Wild Beings with an added lodge tour and barbecue lunch, this will give students a feel for Vision Valley and a glimpse into life on the Residential Program.
Parents will need to complete the consent via the parent portal as well as the Vision Valley waiver which can be found here.
Gloucester Gatherings
Our Gloucester Gathering Liaisons along with our Middle School Liaisons, have put together a wonderful schedule for Gloucester Gatherings this Term. See below for the exciting activities planned for Middle School. We look forward to sharing many photos throughout the term.
From the Middle School Parent Group Leaders
Middle School Dinner for Parents in Years 7 and 8
Thank you very much to all parents for attending the Middle School dinner on Saturday night. It was wonderful to have so many people from years 7 and 8 there to celebrate a fantastic year at Pymble.
Please enjoy the pictures that were taken throughout the evening.
Year 7 Yum Cha Brunch
May Tai warmly invites all Year 7 parents and carers to join her for a Yum Cha Brunch to be held at Star Capital Seafood Restaurant in Chatswood on Friday 10 November between 11.30am and 1.30pm.
Please come along to catch up with friends, meet new people and enjoyed a relaxed and delicious lunch to celebrate the approaching end of the school year. The cost of this event is $45 per person plus a booking fee.
This is our end-of-year event for Year 7 parents and carers and will be our final event as a cohort. Please RSVP to this event by Thursday 9 November 2023 by clicking here.
Key Term Dates
Wednesday 15 November – Year 7 Christmas Service
Friday 17 November – Year 8 Environmental Day
Jenny O’Donnell
Head of Middle School