From the Senior School
The last few days of Term 1 have been packed for the Senior students. Our Year 12 students were engaged in a workshop with doctors, as part of the GPs In Schools program. The students were given advice regarding managing their own health care and then had the opportunity to speak directly with a GP in a smaller friendship-based group. Here they were given practical advice about the own wellbeing and could ask questions in a safe and confidential space.
Following GPs In Schools, the Year 12s enjoyed their annual Food for Thought Luncheon. Our guest speaker, Lexie Hunter (ESU, 2015) spoke with passion and wisdom about her ‘Five Spark Notes’ for success, covering such topics as managing your own social media algorithm, backing yourself and self-care and knowing your path.
We also welcomed back nearly 40 2022 graduates who came along to give their advice, tops tips and some well-earned perspective. The afternoon provided a lovely opportunity for information, friendships to be reconnected and community.
Year 11 University Immersion Day
Year 11 headed out on our inaugural University Immersion Day on Friday last week. The students were able to choose their destination of four universities – Macquarie, UTS, UNSW and ACU – to engage in the day of the life of a university student. My sincerest thanks to the universities who offered their time, student ambassadors to support our girls and access to workshops and lectures. I would also like to acknowledge the Futures Team, who worked in collaboration with the Senior School team to organise this event.
Here are the experiences from Julie, who visited Macquarie University:
As Year 11 students, we are journeying closer and closer to the end of high school, and it’s hard not to wonder about where exactly we are headed. Thankfully, the concept of tertiary education is not completely alien to us, now that Pymble has provided us with the valuable opportunity to taste college life up close through our inaugural University Immersion Day experience.
I had always wanted to learn more about the university environment. I had heard things from friends attending university, but I longed to witness it firsthand. So, I was thrilled to be able to attend Immersion Day at Macquarie University and participate in the Ancient History and Economics workshops.
It was an action-packed and rewarding day. I started off by navigating my way through Sydney’s public transport system like a full-time university student would. Then, I was able to meet and connect with current Macquarie students, who shared their stories and gave valuable tips on how to prepare for uni life. The first workshop session – Ancient History – followed, and I was awed by the university’s extensive collection of antique artifacts excavated from Greece, Egypt and Rome, amongst other sites. I then played a game that mimicked real-life market dynamics in the Economics workshop, where my team was paid (to our great delight) with chocolate.
After that, our group was led on a campus tour, where we gained an understanding of the various facilities and opportunities that the university provided for its students to extend their learning, maintain their wellbeing and pursue their extracurricular passions. Finally, we had a Q&A session, where the friendly uni students responded to our queries and dispelled many university myths.
I think I can speak for everyone when I say that the Immersion Day was incredibly fun and immersive. We are now more confident about our future, and we are grateful to the school for giving us this chance to experience what university would be like for us – the class of 2024.
Senior School Farewell Chapel Service for Reverend Lorenzo
On Tuesday this week, the Senior School farewelled our beloved Chaplain, Reverend Lorenzo, in a special Senior School Chapel Service.
My sincerest thanks to all the students who took part in the service, reading Bible passages, saying prayers, reading our special story, singing and playing the piano and thanking Lorenzo on our behalf. All students showed their care and respect for Lorenzo during the service, and I was very proud to be a part of this with all of our girls. It was a beautiful service, full of love and appreciation.
Lorenzo has been a tower of strength, wisdom and love for the students and staff over the past twelve years. His care and presence in our daily lives and at all of our special events has been much appreciated and, as the girls said, he has been a positive influence on all of our lives with his consistent messages around loving and accepting ourselves and accepting and caring for others.
We presented Rev Lorenzo with a specially made stole, which he wore proudly for the rest of the service. My grateful thanks to Mrs Meredith Myles, who sewed this for us.
Finally, best wishes to all Senior School families for a safe and happy Easter break. May you find some time to spend together, and I hope the girls give themselves some much needed rest. Looking forward to seeing you all next term.
Nikki Wyse
Head of Senior School