From the Senior School

Welcome to Term 3 – a significant term, especially for our Year 12 students as they move into the final stretch of their school journey. This term is rich with both expectations and celebrations. Trial examinations, HSC major works, and final assessments all loom large, but so too does the joy of marking graduation and the culmination of years of hard work and growth.

Balancing academic pressure with the excitement of what’s to come can feel overwhelming at times. It’s important that our students know they are not alone – teachers, parents, and peers are all here to support them. We encourage open conversations about stress and wellbeing, and remind our students to take breaks, prioritise sleep, and ask for help when they need it.

Celebrating the little wins, staying connected with friends, and approaching each challenge with perspective can make a big difference. As we navigate this term together, we will continue to champion a culture of care, respect, courage, and resilience.

Attending School During the HSC Trial Examinations

Year 12 students are welcome to attend school to study during the Trial HSC examination period.

Please note that students must:

Wear full school uniform.
Sign in and out at the Front Office upon arrival and departure.
If they would like to check in with a teacher, please ensure an appointment is made to confirm their availability.

This allows us to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all students on campus during the exam period.

Reminder for Year 12 Parents: Valete Booklet and Graduation Celebrations

Posted to the Parent Portal late last term, the Valete Booklet outlines key details and RSVP links for our upcoming Graduation events. It also introduces some new traditions that our Year 12 students have chosen to embrace as part of their farewell.

In keeping with their values of inclusivity and and sustainability, the girls have decided to retire the tradition of releasing doves and instead mark their graduation with a symbolic and joyful moment: “Hats to the Sky.” This new celebration reflects the spirit and unity of the graduating class and their desire for all students to take part in this special milestone together.

Here is the link to the 2025 Valete Booklet: LINK

We look forward to sharing these meaningful events with our Year 12 students and their families.

Reminder for Year 11 Parents: Knox–Pymble Social Reminder

A new item was posted on the Parent Portal late last term, outlining the details for the upcoming Knox–Pymble Social. This exciting event is a wonderful opportunity for students to come together and celebrate the end of Year 11.

Please note that RSVPs are closing soon, so we encourage families to respond promptly to secure a place. The letter with full details is available at the following LINK

Immersion Trip to Kakadu and Darwin

By Anais McDonald and Grace Santoso

At the start of the Winter Holidays, 11 students from Years 9 to 11 set off on a week-long adventure to Darwin. After a late-night arrival, we dove straight into our itinerary the next morning with a visit to Charles Darwin University, followed by exploring the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, where we learnt about Cyclone Tracy and admired incredible Indigenous art. The day ended with a stunning sunset from the CDU rooftop.

On Tuesday, we began our journey to Kakadu National Park for several nights of camping. After a fun drive (with a live crocodile sighting), we set up camp and prepared for the days ahead. Wednesday started with breakfast around the campfire before meeting Duncan, our tour guide, who led us through Kakadu and Arnhem Land. We explored Indigenous rock art, visited an art centre with bark paintings and wood carvings, and enjoyed lunch by a peaceful billabong before ending the day with butter chicken and stories around the campfire.

Thursday’s highlight was a weaving workshop using native plants, followed by a river cruise where we saw crocodiles up close and learnt about local plant uses. We ended the evening reflecting on the lessons we’d take home.

Friday marked our final day in Kakadu, starting with a quiet breakfast and packing up camp before visiting the Kakadu Visitor Centre. We then returned to Darwin, spending our last night watching the sunset at the Waterfront, the perfect ending to an unforgettable trip.

Service Trip to Tanzania

By Helen Huang and Holly Hogan

On the first day of the Term 2 holidays, 16 students and 3 teachers began our journey to Tanzania, flying via Johannesburg and Dar es Salaam before reaching Kilimanjaro. We stayed at Airport Planet Lodge for five nights, starting each day with breakfast before heading to the East Meru Community School. The 45-minute bus rides were filled with laughter and games like ‘Zimmy Zimmy’. Our first day coincided with the students’ graduation ceremony, a special moment to celebrate their hard work.

Over the next few days, we played games, learnt dances, and connected deeply with the students. Cultural activities like frying bananas and balancing buckets of water added to the experience. A day trip to Arusha National Park wrapped up our time at East Meru, and saying goodbye was bittersweet.

Between school visits, we embarked on a 3-day safari. We explored Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, and the stunning Ngorongoro Crater, where we saw elephants, giraffes, lions, flamingos, and even rhinoceroses. The safari was a refreshing pause, giving us time to reflect on our experiences.

Our time at St Jude’s began with a campus tour and videos about the school. We took part in home visits, paired up with students to help improve their English, and shared conversations that often turned into lively chats about TV shows and maths questions. We also visited Maternity Africa hospital to pack pregnancy kits, shopped at the Maasai Markets, and enjoyed a feast at Khan’s BBQ. On our final day, we visited a Maasai family, dressed in traditional clothing, and gifted a goat as a thank-you for their warm hospitality. The next morning, we set off on an early flight back to Sydney, carrying with us memories we will never forget.