From the Middle School
Thank you to all our Middle School parents for your support for ensuring the girls are wearing their uniform with pride. We are working very hard to raise the standards and appreciate us working together to this end. On Monday of this week, Year 7 and 8 were able to meet up at Mind-Body-Spirt time to commence the Middle School Big Sister/Little Sister program. With the support of our Compass teachers, there were lively conversations around common interests and the upcoming Outdoor Education Program; especially with Year 7 heading off to camp this week and next. We look forward to spending more time getting to know our big sisters and little sisters over the year in Middle School.
This week, Year 7 Hammond, Ingleholme, Bennett and Goodlet travelled out to the valley for their four-day Outdoor Education Program. So far, we have been blessed with beautiful weather and the girls are thoroughly enjoying the change to routine and the opportunity to engage in a wide range of physical activities. We are all so impressed with Year 7 and their transition to high school. They certainly deserve time away to build on connections and just have some fun in the outdoors. Thank you to Michael Stern, Head of Year, for his investment in ensuring all runs smoothly. I am also lucky to be spending the week with the girls.
Congratulations to Year 8 who were amazing ambassadors for Pymble last Friday at the igsa Swimming and Diving Carnival. Their Pymble pride shone throughout the day. Congratulations to all those who competed – such impressive results. Below is a student reflection to share:
Last Friday, Year 8 went to Homebush to support our school in the igsa Swimming Championships. We spent the day cheering on our friends for their races, creating a lively, loud and energetic atmosphere. It was extremely exciting to see the Year 8 group come together and show so much support and encouragement for our Pymble team.
We watched several races that were filled with team spirit, and the energy and laughter which lasted all day was contagious. We even joined Abbotsleigh and PLC Sydney in group chants which was super fun. Overall, it was a memorable day that was filled with joy which brought everyone together and showed how strong Pymble’s sportsmanship and community is. Congratulations to all the swimmers!
Written by Jocelyn Chow (Year 8)
Year 8 History Incursion student reflection
Armours, weapons and names. The history incursion was a wonderful experience to learn about our world and how different our lives could have been if we lived back in the ancient world. Ever wondered what ancient Egypt did to your body after your death? They would remove all your organs and wrap you up into a mummy! There were many interactive activities you were able to enjoy from wearing shiny or colourful armour to carrying heavy and sharp weapons.
Some information did sound weird, like putting on your clothing wrong would mean death in ancient Japan. It was amazing to learn all this information even if it was weird and didn’t feel right to think about. The plays they did always included us as if we were the historical person. I have never thought that learning could be so interactive that it reached the point everyone was jumping from their seats. I am very grateful for this chance to learn history from our ancient world, and I believe that the more time goes on, the more history will be there to learn and fascinate yourself.
Written by Chloe Teoh (Year 8)
In the Year 8 assembly this week, Andrew Scott, Pymble’s Lead Clinical Psychologist, introduced the Dr Dan Siegel’s Hand Brain Model, a fun way to understand how our brain handles emotions. Students acted it out – fingers as the thinking brain, thumb as the emotion centre and when emotions take over… flip! – the lid is off!
Throughout Year 8 we will revisit the model and explore:
🧠 How our brain reacts to situations?
⚡ What triggers our emotions?
🛠️ How to stay in control?
Ask your child to show you the model – and see if they can explain their own “flipped lid” moments!
Jenny O’Donnell
Head of Middle School