From the Upper School

A message from Ms Mariel Lombard, Acting Head of Upper School

It has been wonderful to see our Year 9 and 10 students fill the Upper School Common Room this week during their recess and lunch breaks. The puzzles, chess boards, knitting and card games have been in high demand! Last week, prior to the opening of our Common Room, some of our Year 10 students reflected on their hopes for the new space. It’s safe to say we think they will be thrilled with the results.

I think the new Upper School Common Room will have plenty of comfy seating and be a great spot for activities with our Compass groups, as well as a place to chat with friends. I’m most excited to catch up with friends, especially those I don’t see often because we’re all spread out during lunch and recess. I hope it has comfortable chairs, big tables for group hangouts, and a relaxing environment, which would make it more inviting. Overall, I think the common room will be a great place for everyone to gather, making it easier to connect with people we don’t usually talk to. – Written by Emma Pattison (Year 10)

I imagine the new Common Room will be warm, inviting, and comfortable—a perfect spot for Upper School students to relax. I’m excited about using the microwave to heat up food and hanging out on the cozy couches with friends. I think it will become a great place for us to gather, chat, and make our free time more enjoyable. Overall, I believe the Common Room will bring our year groups closer by giving us a shared space to spend time together. Written by Oliana Tighe (Year 10)

I think the new Upper School common room will be a great space for Year 9 and 10 students to relax, socialise, and connect without relying on technology. I’m excited to hang out with friends, meet new people, and play games during breaks. It’ll likely foster new friendships and make school more enjoyable by offering engaging activities. The room will also help us connect with Year 9 students, as we’ll share our final year with them in the KM (Kate Mason) Building. Written by Aria Wallbank (Year 10)

Here’s a video of last week’s gratitude ceremony, followed by some pictures of the common room being put to good use.

Year 9 Leadership Applications

On Friday last week, our Year 9 students were notified about the process of applying for leadership positions in 2025. Applications opened on Friday and will remain open until tomorrow. Students have been provided with an overview of the many positions available and can explore the full range of leadership roles by visiting the online website (accessible through the MyPymble parent portal). Year 10 students will hear more about 2025 leadership opportunities next week.

Exchange Update

It has been lovely to receive updates and photos from our Year 10 students on exchange in Argentina, Japan, Scotland and New Zealand. The photos below share some of the joys of their first weeks in their respective host countries.

Year 10 St Edmund’s AIM Initiative

A lucky group of Year 10 students attended the AIM initiative at St Edmund’s College earlier this week. The program, which is run by staff at St Edmund’s College, is designed to promote advocacy in the disability sector and allow students to immerse themselves within a community that is enriched by intellectual disability. Annabel and Jahle have shared their experiences below.

Last Monday, a group of Year 10 students were invited to St Edmund’s College for the day to learn about the importance of advocating for people with disabilities. St Edmund’s is a secondary school in Wahroonga that caters for students with a range of intellectual disabilities, autism and other sensory impairments. St Edmund’s College places huge emphasis on the importance of teaching their older students’ practical skills that they will need to live independently. Each class is run with no more than ten students in each, with every student having their work personalised to suit their abilities.

We listened to one of the St Edmund’s teachers talk about the school and he explained how some disabilities are hidden and so we shouldn’t make assumptions about people’s abilities or disabilities. We participated in an activity where we were blindfolded and used a walking cane to simulate the challenges faced by someone with a visual impairment. And while touring the school we couldn’t walk past a classroom without students enthusiastically smiling and waving at us! We spent recess and lunch with the students, and despite some barriers in communication, we were able to share experiences and make meaningful connections. So many of the St Edmunds students were genuinely so excited to see us and rushed over to introduce themselves. We also noticed that the school environment was very inclusive – with students from Year 12 happily playing sport with Year 7s.

After attending AIM, we all left with greater awareness of the barriers people with a disability face in everyday life. The initiative was such a rewarding experience, and we would highly recommend it if you are interested in advocating for people with disabilities.

Written by Annabel Morris and Jahle Tez (Year 10)