From the Middle School
In this week’s year assemblies, the team spoke again about the importance of the College values and what they look and feel like for each individual, each day. Building on Dr Hadwen’s recent conversation during assembly about how the values are displayed as behaviours, we felt it was useful to reiterate this within a Middle School context.
Considering this, we worked through how all the values look for the girls and how they could be their best selves by displaying them positively through their daily actions. We specifically wanted to highlight the importance of care and look at how we care for ourselves and each other, whether that means inviting a new person into their group or how they present themselves in their uniform each day.
In addition to this, we also expressed some concern about the sharing of passwords and the importance of digital safety when it comes to the use of social media. The Middle School has been made aware of students sharing their passwords with peers as a sign of trust and friendship, however we wanted to reiterate that this behaviour should be avoided. The Middle School heard from ySafe last term and again we want to reinforce the importance of privacy and cyber security. We encourage you to have a conversation with your daughter about living the College values, the importance of online safety and the ways in which the girls can protect themselves digitally.
Throughout August, the College has been encouraging the girls to get involved in the 2024 Skipping Challenge as part of our focus on healthy lifestyles and keeping active. We have provided easy access to ropes during recess and lunch and are asking the girls to attempt 100 skips each day for the month of August.
Coincidentally, news has just been shared regarding the achievements of one of our Year 8 students. Congratulations to Kimmy Wong (Year 8) who has been rope skipping competitively, and represented the Northbridge Knockouts Club at the states competition.
Last weekend, Kimmy competed in the 2024 NSW/ACT Rope Skipping Championship which hosted over 150 skippers from the age of seven to adults from interstate and overseas.
Kimmy results were inspirational:
– Gold in Single Rope Speed Relay
– Silver in Single Rope Team Freestyle
– Bronze in 30 Second Speed Sprint
Kimmy is now training hard for the 2024 Australian National Rope Skipping Championship to be held in Canberra at the end of September.
Well done and good luck!
Student reflections on last week’s Goodooga Immersion at the Indigenous Games
On Monday 5 August, we had the most amazing opportunity to travel up to Dubbo, Lightning Ridge, Brewarrina and Goodgooga as part of the 2024 Cultural Immersion Project. We started our trip bright and early at Central Station, with an eight-hour train ride up to Dubbo with some really beautiful views along the way. Then we drove another four hours to get to Lightning Ridge.
On Tuesday morning, we woke up early and drove to Brewarrina to go visit the fish traps and Cultural Museum. The exact age of the fish traps is unknown but archaeologists believe that they are one of the oldest human constructions in the world. These fish traps were a meeting and fishing place for eight different language groups: Morowari, Baranbinja, Kula, Brewarrina, Ualarai, Koamu, Kamilaroi and Weilwan.
Our tour guide, Bradley, explained that the fish traps are an ancient Dreamtime site built by Baiame and his two sons Booma-ooma-nowi and Ghinda-inda-mui. Visiting the fish traps was a really amazing learning experience and it was really cool to see something that old that was used so long ago still being used to this day. The museum held a number of really important tools, weapons and information about the river and nearby mission.
We also learnt Aboriginal words for the local animals, birds and people. After that, we drove to the Walgett high agricultural plot and got to see all the animals and the First Nations Medicine Nursery which was very interesting to see the wide variety of plants that are made for medicines. We even got to hold an emu chick.
On Wednesday we visited the opal shops which was really special because Lightning Ridge is famous for them. We also got mullot cups which were super delicious as they were soft serve with three lollies of your choice. By midday, we traveled to Goodooga which was long but we spotted many animals like emus and kangaroos along the way. When we arrived at Goodooga, we decided to go to the artesian baths, also known as hot springs. We had a great time there hanging out with everyone.
After that we went to a Boarding family’s grandmother’s home to stay. When we got there, we got our beds ready for the night. Then we went to a disco with all the other schools. Lots of the schools stayed in classrooms as there was no accommodation in Goodooga. It was so fun dancing and making friends with the little kids. We also helped make dinner which was spaghetti bolognese. It was delicious.
Thursday was our big day and we attended the 2024 Indigenous Games. Ms Budd started the day by helping out with making breakfast with a number of the Googooda community members for all 300 kids due to attend. After breakfast, we attended the official Goodooga Indigenous Games opening ceremony which included a Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony and cultural dancing. Twenty-two schools from around NSW came to Yuwaalaraay Country to celebrate and immerse in culture.
After this, everyone split into 24 animal groups for example Guba (Koalas), Gilaa (galahs) and Muyaay (cockatoos). Groups were made up of students from many ages from all over NSW. We then participated in games like Munhanganing (a tag game), Kokan (hockey-like game), Buroinjin (soccer/NRL game), Pulyugge (AFL-like game, Keentan (netball-like game) and Parndo (rugby target game).
The games were energetic, competitive and a time to make new connections. We learnt so many new skills and learned about new perspectives and lifestyles. We were able to make connections and really enjoyed supporting the primary school students in our groups. Goodooga Central School was an amazing place and we cannot thank them enough for the best lunch of the entire trip! The whole Goodooga community was involved including the local PCYC who cooked the barbecue, as well as the flying doctors. After lunch, we attended the closing ceremony. We were so sad to leave but we had to get to Dubbo!
On Friday we woke up early in Dubbo and drove to our last breakfast of the trip. Then we got on the bus and drove all the way to Lithgow which was about four hours. Then we got off to get lunch at a bakery near the train station. We got on the train and traveled all the way back to Central and said our goodbyes to everyone and went home.
The week is one we will never forget. We were able to build connections with older and younger students and learn more about our country’s First Nations culture. We also have so many new stories to share.
Written by Silka Czyniewski, Maddison Gabila and Abigail Martin (Year 8)
The Pymble Family Book Club
We are writing to announce a very exciting opportunity for Pymble families with the launch of The Pymble Family Book Club.
With this initiative, we are offering families the chance to read great stories together, share ideas, and attend events to connect with authors and fellow readers.
The first author we will be showcasing is Maryam Master. Her books Exit Through The Gift Shop and No Words have been celebrated by critics and readers alike. We are very pleased to announce she will be joining us for the first ever Pymble Family Book Club on Wednesday 28 August at 5.00pm.
We invite you to come along to spend time with your family and friends, discuss Maryam Master’s books, led by the author herself, and connect over literature. You can see Maryam talking with Pymble students earlier in the year about her books in this video.
How the Pymble Family Book Club works:
- Check out Maryam Master’s books and discuss with your carer/student if there is one (or both) you wish to read, and if you’d like to attend the Family Book Club together. You could even get a reading group together. Reach out to other carers and students in the year and organise to make it a social event!
- RSVP to attend the Family Book Club on Wednesday 28 August. Please RSVP via this form. There is no cost to attend the event.
- You are welcome to obtain a copy of Maryam’s book/s through a library or borrow from a friend. For those who wish to purchase the books, we have organised an easy way for you to source Maryam’s books through a supplier. Please see the order form attached or click on this link to order one or both of Maryam’s books. These will be available for collection at the College in the last week of Term 2.
- Both carer and student read the book/s prior to the event on Wednesday 28 August.
- Put the event in your calendar and come along on Wednesday 28 August to the Conde Library at the College to have a great time.
If you can’t make the event but still want to read some Maryam Master, you are still welcome to order the books through us and email us at library@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au for some ideas about what we will discuss on the night.
We look forward to you joining us for this special opportunity to connect over some incredible stories and ideas. If you have any questions, please reach out to library@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.
Kind regards and happy reading!
From the Middle School Parent Groups
Middle School Sweet Sensations Stall 2024
We are currently working behind the scenes in preparation for our “Sweet Sensations” lolly stall at the Garden Party on Saturday 21st September.
The Garden Party is the biggest and most exciting event at Pymble and we really hope to see you there on the day. Our stall is one of the most popular so we are expecting huge crowds. Please help us out by either volunteering your time or donating money to help us buy lollies. See links below for both options.
To join us on the day, please click here.
To donate money to help buy lollies, please click here.
We thank you in advance for your generous support.
Year 8 Coffee Morning
We look forward to our Term 3 coffee morning! Please come along and join us on Friday 23 August at a favourite local café, Brick Lane Expresso, in West Pymble from 8.30 am onwards.
We will confirm numbers via WhatsApp poll closer to the date.
Thank you!
Year 7 Co-ordinators
Stephanie, Leigh and Briar
Year 8 Co-ordinators
Jenny and Ms Kai Jones – 0431 725 948 and kai_look@yahoo.com
Jenny O’Donnell
Head of Middle School