From the Upper School
A message from Mr Tom Riley, Head of Upper School
It was a quiet start to the week as our Year 9s and 10s finished their examination block. We were really impressed by the behaviour of our girls and their dedication over the past week. Despite the unexpected traffic jams, delayed trains, and broken-down buses, not to mention the hot weather, they have really persevered and hopefully can both take pride in themselves and enjoy some well-earned downtime this weekend.
At this point of the year, it can be easy for our girls to get their end of year examinations out of perspective and to see them as a destination rather than a short stop along the journey. Earlier this week I was reading to my daughter and was taken by a few paragraphs in the fantastic book, The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be.
In a nutshell it describes how each child approaches building a hot air balloon (life) differently, according to their own strengths, interests, and natural dispositions.
As they finish, the children realise the beauty of the difference they collectively helped to create in being unashamedly themselves.
I really hope that our girls can hold on to their own identity, interests, and strengths, by reviewing their growth across the year. It can be easy to become simplistic in deriving success based upon the examination block only, and I really encourage you all to reinforce that this is just one of many metrics and one that will not necessarily suit all parties.
2024 International Exchange
On Wednesday 8 November at 7.00pm we will be holding an online Information Night for our current Year 9 families (and Year 10 Japanese students) on our International Exchange Program for next year. Please register your interest here. We will record the event and share it in the newsletter for those unable to attend live.
From the Upper School Parent Group
Volunteers Needed
Could you help your year group by organising social events? The current Year 10 group in Upper School is looking for 2024 SSPG year coordinators (for Year 11 next year). This can be a solo role, or if preferred you can share with a friend. You would be supported by the experienced volunteers of the Secondary School Parent Group with lots of guidance available, so new volunteers are most welcome. If you would like to get involved, please contact any of your current year coordinators below prior to 15 November to discuss.
Year 10 Zoe Green bzgreen@bigpond.net.au
Pamela McPherson bruceandpam@bigpond.com
Year 9 Kate Hart kate@countyconstruction.com.au
Christel Vigne vignechristel@gmail.com
Social media community groups:
PymbleLC Parents Class of 2025 (Facebook for year 10)
PymbleLC Parents Class of 2026 (Facebook for year 9)
PymbleLC USPG 2023 (Facebook for all Upper School parents)
Or please contact us for an invite to a WeChat group or Dads WhatsApp group.
Key Term 4 Dates
Friday 3 November – Year 10 into 11 Transition Afternoon
Friday 3 November – Sportswomen Awards Night at Miramare Gardens
Saturday 11 to Tuesday 21 November – Year 10 Namadji Outdoor Education Program (OEP)
Sunday 12 to Tuesday 21 November – Year 10 Snowy Mountains OEP
Monday 13 to Friday 17 November – Year 10 Blue Mountains and Murramarang OEPs
Wednesday 22 November – Secondary School Ensemble Concert
Monday 27 November to Friday 1 December – Year 10 Future You/Service Week
Wednesday 6 December – Year 7-11 Speech Day in Gym
Tom Riley
Head of Upper School