This week our First Nations students hosted a very special NAIDOC Week assembly for Years 5 to 12. It was incredibly powerful to see the girls own their heritage – and their rapt audience – as they shared stories, honoured female role model elders, and demonstrated their growth as emerging young women who are proud of who they are and where they come from. The students have taken the time to write about the significance of celebrating the achievements and capabilities of our First Nations Australians in this way, and they would love you to read their reflections here.
This event followed last Friday’s inaugural Dragon Boat Cultural Festival, a new College initiative of hosting a different cultural celebration for our community each year. As with our NAIDOC Week celebrations, indeed any culture-based event at the College, this was inspired by our Social Intelligence strategy of bringing our diversity to the fore as an opportunity to connect with one another and forge deeper respect and understanding of the differences we all bring to our united Pymble family. It’s hard to say who was more excited – our student performers, their proud parents watching on, or guests like me, who were participating in this significant event for our Chinese families and friends for the very first time. Thank you to the many parents and students who contributed to this wonderful (and totally sold out!) event, which you can learn more about in this video.
Celebrating our culture of care
Ever since we introduced our Watch Us Change the World strategy with a focus on our four ‘intelligence’ pillars, life continues to remind me of the importance of our commitment to building Social Intelligence, in addition of course to the Academic, Digital and Emotional Intelligences.
As you know, earlier in the year I had the opportunity to go on a Holocaust remembrance tour, where I learnt about the dark side of humankind and the cost of indifference. I also learnt about the incredible power of kindness from many sources, including a small, meagrely funded Jewish Community Centre in Krakow, Poland. When the war broke out between Russia and Ukraine, Krakow became a haven for displaced Ukrainians. Knowing what it feels like when people are indifferent to your plight, the Jewish Community Centre staff put a sign above their door, saying welcome in Ukrainian. Since that sign went up, the centre has helped more than 200,000 people in need, by offering employment, food parcels, accommodation and so much more. Perhaps the most significant gift they gave was one of belonging – something that is important to all of us.
The thing that struck me on that trip was the word indifference. It sat with me in an incredibly uncomfortable way, and it made me think about what makes me get up in the morning so excited to work with the staff, students and families here at Pymble.
Here’s what I arrived at. What sets Pymble aside from other schools and communities is that we are not indifferent. We care. We care about our students and their families, and we care about our staff and their families. We call ourselves a family and we operate as a family, according to our values. This doesn’t mean we get along every day, but it means we hold each other to account.
If indifference sat comfortably at Pymble, there wouldn’t be Dragon Boat Festivals, NAIDOC Week celebrations, Christmas Concerts, parent support groups for co-curricular, Garden Party or many of the myriad events across the College that we hold dear to our hearts.
When we talk about our girls and our community changing the world, we don’t mean making big, grand, jaw-dropping gestures. We mean turning up each day for each other, caring for each other and sharing things that really matter.
I’m incredibly proud to lead this amazing community but I’m even more proud of all that I have learnt and all I will continue to learn from you, our Pymble family, every single day. Thank you for seeing the bigger, humanitarian and world-changing picture for our girls in all that we do, including our Social Intelligence pillar.
Say hello to our HOLAs
In keeping with our commitment to helping parents and carers get to know our Heads of Learning Areas (HOLAs), this week it is my pleasure to introduce you to Mrs Salina Bussien, HOLA – Modern and Classic Languages. Mrs Bussien leads the department offering our Secondary School girls the opportunity to learn Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Italian, Latin and Classical Greek, and this year she is teaching Year 12 French Continuers and Year 12 French Extension.
Salina, when did you commence atPymble?
“The short version of a long story is that I started as a part-time Italian and French teacher in 2006 and then came back as full-time language teacher in 2009 before changing career for a few years and returning to Pymble as HOLA in 2018.”
What was the ‘aha’ moment that led you into teaching?
“I never made the conscious decision to become a teacher. It is something that happened organically. Starting university, I had no clear career goal in mind and chose an area of studies that interested me: literature and linguistics. What I didn’t know is that this would lead me to my very first teaching experience. As Associate Instructor of the French and Italian Department at Indiana University, I remember distinctively the joy and positive energy I felt teaching Italian to undergraduates and thinking to myself ‘I could do this’.
What is the most rewarding aspect of the work you do here?
“I would say sharing my passion for languages with students and colleagues and continuing to stress the benefits of second language acquisition, especially at a time when we need students to gain strong critical skills, the ability to navigate the increasingly complex way we communicate and to appreciate and value diversity, a key focus in many parts of the world today.”
What are you most proud of achieving as a Pymble HOLA?
“I am very grateful to be supported by the College and be working with a great team of educators who are committed to unlocking our students’ brain and heart capacity and giving them access to a rich multilingual global community.”
Work aside, tell us a fun fact about you…
“I love the arts and puzzles, and recently became a fan of David Baldacci’s detective novels.”
Finish this sentence: If I could impart one life lesson to our students, it would be…
“Go explore the world, appreciate new challenges, connect with others, and above all don’t worry if you are not following the rule book. There isn’t any.”
Wishing our Pymble family a wonderful week ahead – and sending all positive thoughts and calm vibes to our Year 12 students who begin Trial HSC exams in Week 3. Girls, you’ve got this!
The importance of NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC Week is a time to acknowledge the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We celebrate the richness of First Nations cultures, the depth of their stories and the strength of their custodianship. This event is held each year during the first week of July and is an important annual event where every Australian is invited to join in the celebrations.
There is always a theme to celebrate NAIDOC week, with this year’s theme being For Our Elders. At Pymble, we celebrated with a special Secondary School assembly, segments in the Junior School assemblies, a fundraising bake sale for the charity Children’s Ground and several students reading books and sharing stories with girls in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2.
NAIDOC means different things to different people and four of our First Nations students have kindly shared stories of their celebrations below. Please also watch this video where our First Nations girls explain what NAIDOC Week means to them.
We thank our First Nations students, staff and families for the open and generous way they share their cultures with our community.
Our First Nations girls during story time with the youngest members of the Junior School.
“I love this time of year!”
NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate the culture, history and achievements of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. I love this time of year because there are many fun celebrations and activities held in our community. In the holidays, there was a NAIDOC festival in my hometown of Walgett that included many stalls like painting and crafts for kids, yarning and weaving circles, traditional dances and Indigenous music played in the background. To finish off, there was a big lunch at the canteen filled with different curries and dampers. I then got to go back and learn about different native bush tucker with my nan (Granny Fox) and my dad.
Written by Evie (Year 8)
Granny Fox is proud of her land.She is also an expert in creating cultural adornments.
Celebrating First Nations cultures and histories
I love NAIDOC week because it’s a time where we can celebrate First Nations cultures and histories. In the holidays I went back to my primary school to help out with the NAIDOC activities. There were lots of different activities that others and I helped out with. At one of the stations there were different sausages such as crocodile, kangaroo and emu.
There were also biscuits and slices with native plants in them. My favourite was the lemon myrtle slice. There were also cookie decorations, and the children used icing to make the Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander flags. We had done the same at Pymble last year! I love sharing what I learn at school in my home community and vice versa. It’s great that we celebrate NAIDOC Week at Pymble after the school holidays which allows us to have two weeks of celebration each year!
Written by Ellie (Year 8)
Ellie (Year 8) hard at work at a NAIDOC stall.
“We thank them for not forgetting who they are”
My name’s Adison and I am a proud Gamilaraay and Wiradjuri woman from Narrabri, NSW. This year’s theme of NAIDOC Week is For Our Elders.
I really look up to my mother as an elder because she has taught me most of the things I know today, including traditions and historical events that have shaped Australia over the years. She told me about when the First Fleet came and stole our land, the Stolen Generations and many cultural histories over the years.
One specific story was about the Stolen Generations and how my great grandmother was too afraid to say that she was Aboriginal because she didn’t want her kids to be taken away from her, and how they didn’t believe she was Aboriginal because she was fair skinned.
Our Elders are the strong, compassionate and patient people that have taught us how to dance, sing, paint and learn. They listen to what we have to say and the stories that we have to tell, whilst also telling us stories of their own, and are the reason we still hold so much knowledge in our cultures. At the same time, however, we also wish we knew more. We thank them for not forgetting who they are and telling us stories and traditions to pass down to future generations.
Written by Adison (Year 9)
Proud of their heritage.Proud of their Elders.Proud of their cake.
“I’m filled with a sense of pride”
As a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, National Aborigines and Islanders’ Day Observance Committee, also known as NAIDOC, is a special time for me to celebrate my culture. It allows people to come together to recognise the history and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, pay tribute to the strength of my Elders and promote respect and understanding. It is a chance for me to reclaim and preserve my identity while also educating others, fostering unity within the community and celebrating the obstacles we have overcome.
In my Queensland hometown of Cairns, we have four Traditional Owners groups: Yirrganydji, Djabugay, Gunggandji and Yidinji. NAIDOC celebrations are spread throughout Cairns over this special week and there are a number of community-run programs to help celebrate First Nations culture and educate the wider public. These include a NAIDOC March, special NAIDOC breakfast, combined church service, Elders luncheon, treat and truth-telling information sessions and NAIDOC in the Park, with the week wrapping up with the traditional Cairns NAIDOC dinner.
The 2023 theme for NAIDOC is For Our Elders. Across every generation, our Elders have played and continue to play an important role. Elders hold a prominent place in our communities and families. Our First Nations Elders are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teacher, survivors, leaders, hard workers and our loved ones. Our Elders play a vital role in First Nations traditions due to their knowledge, expertise, and contributions to the preservation and continuance of ancient knowledge, customs, and practices. Our Elders are highly respected members of the community.
Whether I’m at home in Cairns, Queensland, at school here in NSW or if I’m in the more remote communities around Australia, my Elders play a significant role in my life and share their traditional knowledge and wisdom with me. They provide guidance and deep spirituality that influence my life for the better.
Elders strengthen my families’ bonds and help keep us connected to the land, sea and animals. When my Elders talk to me, I feel more connection to my culture and I’m filled with a sense of pride. I feel more equipped with the knowledge of where I came from, my family name I represent and what I can accomplish and achieve in the future. I feel loved and supported by my Elders.
Written by Giselle (Year 11)
Giselle (Year 11) and her sister Sophia (Year 8) with their Elders.
From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
Embracing challenge – having a go and stepping into nature
This week our first group of Year 6 girls head off for their Outdoor Education program at Glenworth Valley. This program provides a unique opportunity for our girls to demonstrate their courage, resilience, and teamwork skills. As they navigate through various outdoor activities and engage in team-building exercises, they will undoubtedly face challenges that will test their limits. However, it is precisely in these moments of challenge that true growth occurs, and special memories are made. I am so proud of our girls as they step into this opportunity for personal development and self-discovery.
Embracing challenge – putting on a performance
Our Year 1 and 2 students are also busy preparing for their concert performance, which will take us all on a journey into space and new frontiers. As our young performers step onto the stage, they will showcase their talent and embody the courage to try something new. Through this experience, they will learn the value of taking risks, pushing boundaries, and embracing new challenges. In Term 4 our Kindergarten girls will have their performance opportunity with a Nativity performance.
Embracing travel – our Year 5 girls are off to Goodooga
Next week a small group of Year 5 girls head off on the long journey to remote northern NSW to attend the Goodooga Indigenous Games. This is an event we attended last year for the first time and we are honoured to be invited back. This year the girls are travelling under the care and leadership of Mrs Cindy Anderson and Miss Sarah McGeogh who both bring exceptional depth of knowledge and love of country. We look forward to hearing about all the adventures this team will have.
Embracing challenge through sport
I was lucky enough to watch one of our Year 3 teams play their first game of Touch on Saturday morning. This team demonstrated true Pymble spirit playing with heart and determination and clearly enjoying working as a team.
Good luck to our Snowsports teams who performed so brilliantly in the competition over the holidays and who continue to train hard for upcoming competitions.
Congratulations to our Athletics Age Champions and Junior and Senior Champions.
8 Years Champion: Siena Cassidy (Year 2)
9 Years Champion: Amélie Berg (Year 4)
10 Years Champion: Isabelle Lau (Year 4)
Junior Champion: Isabelle Lau (Year 4)
11 Years Champion: Emma Fogale (Year 6)
12 Years Champion: Adele Cassidy (Year 6)
Senior Champion: Adele Cassidy (Year 6)
Our Sporty Staff
We are very proud of Mrs Tracy Reid, Year 3 Compass Teacher who won the Women’s Individual Stableford competition at Pennant Hills Golf Club on Sunday 23rd July. Mrs Reid and her husband, along with two of their playing partners, also won the Team 4BBB Stableford competition on the same day! Congratulations Mrs Reid!
Nurturing courage and encouraging our students to embrace challenges is paramount to their personal and academic growth. By instilling a sense of adventure, resilience, and determination, we empower our girls to overcome obstacles, discover their potential as confident young women ready to take on the world.
The power of sleep
In order to embrace challenge with a clear and open mind, our girls need lots of sleep. As Dr Hadwen wrote in her newsletter last week, we are keen to focus on the power of sleep this term. Our staff are embracing this focus and many are now tracking their sleep patterns and prioritising self care by trying to get more sleep each night. It’s important that despite our busy family schedules we establish healthy sleep routines for our girls. Sleep enables our girls to optimise their thinking during the school day and therefore optimise their learning potential.
Celebrating our culture as a community
I was so proud as I watched so many of our girls enjoy the Dragon Boat Festival on Friday evening. We had girls playing piano, singing and dancing. Most importantly we had girls working together to share the history and story of the Dragon Boat festival and we also had girls supporting one another, sharing stories and enjoying a plethora of Chinese treats throughout the evening. A huge thank you to our Junior School parents who worked diligently behind the scenes over many months to bring this event to life. As a College we look forward to many different cultural events in the future.
This week we celebrate NAIDOC week, and our Years 3-6 girls enjoyed a presentation and dance performance by Jade George, Year 6 a proud Kurinerg woman and some of our senior students to explain the significance of this week and this year’s focus, ‘For our Elders’. Kindergarten and Year 2 were treated to some book readings by our Senior students too.
Another baby in our Junior School family
I am delighted to announce that Mrs Justina Hefter and her husband, Andy, welcomed a little boy to their family last week. Born 3 weeks early, Henry is healthy and much loved by his proud parents and his big sister, Sophie.
Welcome to our Junior School
I am delighted to welcome these amazing women to our Junior School team. Ms Leila Broughton joins our Professional Services team and will be on our Years 3-6 reception on Thursday and Fridays.
Mrs Rebecca Chan joins our EAL/D team following Mrs Sheryll Ward’s retirement. Mrs Chan brings lots of experience to the team and as she’s an Alumni it’s lovely to welcome her back to her school!
Kindness Matters! A note from our Kindness Captains; Amna and Jessamy
This week’s Kindness Thought for the Week is: Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness of people – Roy T Bennett
This week’s Kindness Challenge is: Smile at someone or compliment someone and make their day! Imagine the difference you can make to someone’s day.
Kindness to our Environment- a note from our Sustainability Captains; Oriana Fenton and Richielynne Xiong
This term we have started Plastic Free July. We know what you must be thinking- isn’t July almost over?! Yes, we thought that too! So, our Junior School Plastic Free July has become “Plastic Free in Term 3”. This term we are going to be working on limiting the use of single use plastics in our school as they damage our environment when they end up in the oceans and other areas as they cannot break down. We encourage everyone to also do this at home too by doing small things like using reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags and reusable coffee cups instead of disposable ones.
Last term our Semester 1 Sustainability Captains Georgia Friedel and Charlotte Pang introduced a House Competition to help keep our playgrounds free from rubbish. In this competition each Year group has an area to keep tidy, with house points being awarded each week to the Year group with the tidiest area. At the end of Term 3, the House with the most points will win a special reward. We are really determined to protect our birds and animals as well as keep the Junior School clean and rubbish free.
A kind offer by a member of our community – FREE vision screening for K-2 girls
Mr Jason Chan, father of Charlotte in Kindergarten, is a Director at SpecSavers Hornsby who are very generously offering free initial vision screening appointments at school to our K-2 girls. This is part of a widespread community health project by SpecSavers.
The vision screening takes approximately five minutes per child and includes looking at her vision, 3D perception and the health of her eye. No marketing or database will be collected by SpecSavers and there is no obligation to book any future appointments with SpecSavers. This is an opportunity for your daughter to have her eyes screened and a report will be provided that states whether there is any need for review by an ophthalmologist of your choice. If you are interested in booking a free screening for your daughter on Wednesday 6 September or Thursday 7 September, please click HERE to register.
Please click here to download the Consent form which needs to be completed if you would like to register your daughter for vision screening. Please click here to view a sample vision report so you can see what you will receive if your daughter has her vision screened.
Parents do not need to attend the screening, please make an appointment with SpecSavers Hornsby if you wish to attend with your daughter.
STEM in our Junior School and Science Week – a note from Mr Dan Brown, Head of STEM, and our STEM Captains; Olivia Chan and Sophia Wong
As we look forward to Science Week in Week 5, we are focusing on a critical skill scientists and innovators use in their investigations and ideation – observation. This week our STEM Captains introduced a challenge to Years 3-6 girls who want to hone their scientific observation skills by sitting silently for ten minutes in our Valley playground at the start of one lunchtime and then noting what they see and hear within nature. Each week we will ask girls who are interested to observe something different and then record their observations. During Science Week the girls will then have the opportunity to develop one of their observations or wonderings into an idea. We will also be running a series of experiments and investigations for all girls K-6 during that week.
New clubs in our Junior School; app building and e-Sports.
We are introducing app building in our STEM club this term which is a very exciting skill for interested Years 3-6 girls to learn.
To much excitement in assembly, we announced we are launching our first ever e-Sports club which will be led by Mr Jake Turnbull and Mr Dan Brown and is open to Years 5-6 girls.
Tech Connect – Year 3 Dads and Daughters, Wednesday 30 August – an evening of dancing puppets
This event will be led by Mr Dan Brown, Head of STEM K-6, Mrs Lara Bird, Deputy Head of Junior School Academics, Mrs Alison Tedesco, K-6 Robotics Coordinator and Mrs Kate Brown, Head of Junior School.
Come and create your own string puppet with your daughter. Bring your puppet to life by coding a micro:bit to play music and sound. Then enjoy the magic of making your puppet dance to its own music! At the end of the evening, we can enjoy a performance by all the puppets to celebrate the fun of this collaborative evening. Girls may take home their puppet (without the micro:bit) at the end of the evening.
Girls can attend the event in mufti (school uniform is not required)
Pizza and water will be served at 7.00pm for Dads and their daughters to enjoy.
A message from Lara Bird, Deputy Head of Junior School – Academics
Academic Learning Discussions
This term there will be an opportunity for you to participate in an Academic Learning Discussion with your daughter’s Compass Teacher.
On Monday, 18 September the Junior School will be holding our academic learning discussions for Semester 2 with your daughter’s Compass Teacher who will discuss your daughter’s progress and next steps in English, Mathematics, Inquiry (History, Science and Geography) and Specialist subjects. This discussion will be online only using Microsoft Teams. The structure of the discussion for Years 4-6 will be a three-way conversation with girls leading the discussion. All K-6 students will take home their iPad on Friday, 15 September.
As these discussions will be online and throughout the whole day no Junior School student will be on campus on Monday 18 September.A notice will be placed on the portal detailing the structure of these discussions and how to book your interview. If there is no adult who can supervise your child at home on this day, please email Lara Bird lbird@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.
A message from Nerissa Davey – Deputy Head of Junior School – Operations
Year 6 Leaders and Class Captains
This term we welcome all our Semester 2 Year 6 leaders to their roles. We know you have all been waiting for this opportunity and we look forward to you embracing these roles with kindness and enthusiasm.
In Week 1 the girls from Year 1-6 also voted for their Class Captains. We wish the following girls well in their new roles:
Term 3 Class Captains
Class
Class Captain
SRC Captain
Kindness Captain
Sustainability Captain
ICT Captain
1C
Lua Jung
Sophia Thach
Jacqueline Liu
Kelly Ni
Olivia Kang
1T
Melody Yi
Claire Sun
Leah Ji
Lucinda de Bilde
Willouw Brennan
1S
Michelle Zhang
Audrey Ren
Celine Shen
Allison Lu
Emily Siadatkhoo
1H
Aria Shi
Kim Wang
Helen Cai
Karen Zeng
Olivia Yang
2B
Sarah Kitzing
Mia Xu
Claire Huang
Siena Cassidy
Evelyn Chiu
2L
Melissa Wang
Sophie Woo
Zarah Khan
Aviana Faraz
Ishita Singh
2A
Mischa Jadav
Mila Li
Amelia Chen
Joyce Gong
Katherine Gu
2C
Camilla Yan
Kaymi Madugalle Wijeratne
Ariel Wang
Isabel Chang
Chloe Chen
3BW
Olivia Jin
Davina Excell
Karena Lu
Avril Huang
Yoyo Wu
3W
Rayna Zhou
Zoe Ababio
Tiffany Ma
Jianing Li
Emma Ware
3M
Mikayla Kiang
Alice Deutscher
Bella Sherrah
Rachel Zhang
Emily Yan
3R
Nadya Faheem
Eva Shi
Celine Wang
Rose Wang
Kaylee Yang
3K
Tiffany Gu
Ellie Rose Ruiz del Portal Greene
Florence Ma
Rachel Shi
Melanie Lin
4S
Vivian Li
Dora Chen
Harper Chen
Anthea Yang
Vanessa Lee
4M
Zoe Soumboulidis
Grace Wang
Afra Sarchami
Clarisse Chan
Isabella Wang
4D
Sarah Lu
Lola Yang
Sunny Wang
Zara Ware
Alexandra Handley-Greaves
4L
Zoe Hanna
Emily Long
Juliet Walsh
Kiana Rad
Samantha Robson
4PB
Clarice Chung
Erin Wei
Madeline Chen
Emily Horniak
Summer Wang
5P
Taylor Green
Amélie Rahme
Cecilia Zhang
Divangi Sahni
Audrey Lee
5B
Evelyn Shi
Aarna Ashwin
Michelle Xing
Olivia Zhao
Isabelle Yeh
5N
Angela Chiang
Hayley Nguyen
Sophia Mohseni
Emma Popli
Lydia Chen
5W
Reyne Wang
Bianca Ng
Sophia Na
Oliana Zeccola
Eleanor Zalewski
5A
Indie Leon-Searle
Charlotte Xue
Tanvi Raniga
Sophia Kandelas
Betty Su
5L
Mia Pan
Victoria Yu
Melody Chen
Olivia Beaumont
Lily Zhang
6P
Annabelle Zhou
Chloe Lenane
Catherine Wang
Madison Aikman
Ella Zhou
6O
Jade George
Ellie Lau
Jing Yuan Liu
Hailey Judd
Ava Costa
6C
Lauren Chen
Duola Lin
Sophia Guo
Miranda Wu
Kiara Excell
6M
Ruby Thomas
Faith Hedley
Autumn Wang
Zoe Chan
Madeleine King
6A
Jocelyn Chow
Anabelle Watts
Wenhui Zheng
Georgia Friedel
Alina Kharbanda
6S
Sharon Xia
Michelle Shi
Amber Chen
Haley Zhang
Jacqueline Zhou
Pymble Gives Back
This term we continue our theme of giving back. A reminder to all families in K-6 that there is a clothing bin in Sunshine Square for you to add clean and used clothing in good condition. We look forward to your donations which will be donated by the College.
Keeping safe in carlines
We would like to remind all parents to please be vigilant during pick up and drop off times. We ask you to take particular note of the following – (we have used teacher vehicles for the purpose of dramatisation)
During drop off in the morning please do not use the teacher carpark as a road. This is very dangerous. I am worried that one of our staff could be injured. We know that parents driving through this area use this to push in line to get out the College quicker, this is not allowed.
2. When collecting your daughter from flagpole in the afternoons please do not double park. This is very dangerous as it means your daughters have to cross the road to get to your cars and could be seriously injured in the process. Please wait in 1 line as you do for pick up.
3. Please do not park in the No Parking zones outside the GMCPA. This area must remain clear for vehicles to pass by and ensure safety to our students when moving to flagpole and other locations.
4. if you are waiting for your daughter to arrive at flagpole, please wait in the lined area around the oval (see photo). Cars at flagpole should be loading or unloading only.
We thank you for your co-operation to allow us to keep our girls, staff, and parents safe.
Learning in Kindergarten to Year 6
K-2 Performing Arts – Tiffany Farlow
Year 1 – 2 Showcase Space Cadets: The Cosmic Quest, Friday 11 August
Embark on an out-of-this-world journey with a group of fearless girls in ‘Space Cadets: The Cosmic Quest’. Join their adventure to be the first girls to soar from Earth to the Moon,but hold on tight as their spacecraft goes off course! From encounters with friendly Martians to navigating a treacherous storm on Jupiter, the courageous astronauts discover the wonders of the solar system and beyond. With a blend of imagination, teamwork, and a touch of humour, they conquer unexpected challenges and prove that friendship and determination can bring dreams to life even amidst the stars. Get ready for an exhilarating cosmic escapade that will ignite young imaginations and remind us all to reach for the stars.
Dates/times: Friday 11 August: Show 1 – 2.00pm | Show 2 – 5.00pm
Run Time: Approx 50mins
Tickets sales: to be posted on the portal
Further information will be provided by Miss Farlow via the portal regarding hair requirements for this event.
General Play Photos
Message from the Administration Office
Morning Tea and Lunch
Please ensure that all lunch boxes and drink bottles are clearly named. Please note that we are a nut-free school and we ask for your assistance in this when preparing your daughter’s lunch so that we can safeguard the needs of all our students in the Junior School.
Birthdays
There is no expectation that you supply treats for your daughter’s class. We will make every girl feel special on their birthday. But, if you would like to provide treats for the class on your daughter’s birthday, she may come to school with a small cupcake for each student in the class or an ice block if the weather is warm. Please do not bring in gift bags.
Uniform and Appearance
Jewellery: please note that the girls are only permitted to wear plain gold or silver studs as earrings. Whilst sparkly and gemstone earrings are beautiful, they should only be worn on weekends (not to Saturday sport) or during school holidays. Girls are permitted to wear a religious necklace as long as it is not visible over her uniform. Please do not send your daughter with a smart watch that can receive texts, emails or phone calls. Girls are not permitted these devices during the school day.
Please refer to page 32-33 of your daughter’s student diary for further information.
Please check that all your daughter’s items are named including socks, hats, lunch boxes and drink bottles.
From the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG)
Please save the date for the following events:
Jeans for Genes Day BBQ – Friday 4 August
The JSPG will be running a sausage sizzle on Friday 4th August to raise funds for the Children’s Medical Institute who research childhood genetic diseases.
Further information including tickets will be sent out on MyPymble shortly.
Kindergarten to Year 2 Parent Daughter Dance – Saturday 5 August
We are very excited to be holding the K to 2 Dance with this year’s theme, “Under the Sea”. Our daughters and their families will have an amazing time at our sea-themed extravaganza, dancing to our DJ, having photos taken and enjoyed dinner and dessert. Please note that dressing in the theme is optional. At last year’s dance, all our families had an absolute ball so we cannot wait for this year’s dance! We look forward to catching up with everyone and celebrating a very special dance for our daughters and their friends.
Years 3 to 5 Parent Daughter Dance – Saturday 19 August
Roll up, roll up, for a very glitzy and glamorous night at the Years 3 to 5 Dance! With a theme of “Glitz and Glam” (dress up is optional), the hall will be decorated to the finest, the red carpet will be out and it will a very special occasion indeed! We look forward to celebrating with our girls and friends at the dance, enjoying our DJ, photos being taken and a delicious dinner.
On behalf of the JSPG, we wish all the junior school families a fantastic and productive Term 3.
If you have any questions or require further information, please email us the JSPG at: pymblelcjspg@gmail.com
Important Dates for Term 3
Friday 28 July
Year 6 OEP Group 1 Glenworth Valley
Monday 31 July
Emmy and Friends for Year 1 – Consent education program
Monday 31 July
Constable Lynda Hart talk to Years 5 and 6
Tuesday 1 August
Ryde Eisteddfod Bands 8.00am to 11.30am
Wednesday 2 August
Kindy 100 Days and Kindy Windows into Learning, 11.45am to 1.30pm
Wednesday 2 August to Friday 4 August
Year 6 OEP Group 1 Glenworth Valley
Tuesday 1 August to Friday 4 August
Goodooga – Indigenous Games – selected Year 5 students
Friday 4 August
Jeans for Genes Day Barbecue
Friday 4 August
K-6 Author Visit – Kate and Joel Temple
Friday 4 August
K-2 Play Around the World
Saturday 5 August
JSPG K-2 Parent Daughter Dance – Mrs Brown will attend
**Note for your calendars: Academic learning discussions will take place on Monday 18 September 2023. All students will take home their iPad on Friday 15 September. As these discussions will be online and throughout the whole day no Junior School student will be on campus on Monday 18 September.
Kate Brown
Head of Junior School
From the Middle School
This week in Middle School we are back in full swing with our lunchtime activities. On Monday we held a crafting session to create decorations in celebration of NAIDOC Week. Tuesday’s Gloucester Gathering provided an opportunity for the girls to be involved in a Karaoke competition and on Wednesday and Friday we continued to build on the Happy Box Service initiative. So much for the girls to get involved in. Please encourage your daughters to attend if they are interested.
The college assembly in acknowledgement of NAIDOC Week showcases many of our Indigenous scholars making a tribute to significant elders in their lives. The audience was also privileged to witness a display of traditional dance and a smoking ceremony. Thank you to our Middle School Indigenous scholars for always being willing to share knowledge and celebrations: Evie Farr, Sophia Kawane, Sienna Melton, Ellie Pointon and Imarni Woodroffe-Mulholland.
Congratulations to our Year 7 and our Year 8 da Vinci Decathlon teams who have been crowned state champions. Well done to the following girls for an exceptional achievement:
Year 7
Celine Cai
Ruby Chu
Harriet Gregory
Yen Huynh
Chloe Shao
Alexa Wu
Katherine Xu
Bella Yang
Year 8
Sitian Chen
Emily Chiang
Sophie Guo
Jenny He
Emily Huang
Karen Kim
Angela Tao
Chloe Wang
Parents would have received via a Portal notification, information about the MMG Wellbeing Surveys which Year 7 and 8 students will be completing during Mind/Body/Spirit time next week. The parent survey is also within the notification, and I would like to encourage you to please complete this.
Over the next few days, we will be sharing information with our Year 8 families in relation to the Outdoor Education Experience that the girls will be attending in Week 9 from 11 to 15 September. This will be great opportunity for the girls to have some fun and build independence. The program is diverse and promises to encourage resilience and skill building. We look forward to everyone attending.
Next Thursday 3 March Year 8 students will be attending a workshop run by guest presenter Michelle Chevalley Hedge. Michelle is a nutritionist and sleep expert, who will be sharing information to help the girls consolidate their wellbeing. Year 7 will have an opportunity to attend one of her workshops later in the term. If you are interested in learning more, you can view her website here.
From the Middle School Parent Group
Year 8 Coffee Catch Up – Tomorrow
We are looking forward to catching up with our Year 8 parents for morning tea tomorrow Friday 28 July at Bricklane Cafe in West Pymble after school drop off. Please RSVP so we can book a table for our group.
Shiva Rich: 0414322874
Carol Bai: 0450 855 866
Year 7 Coffee Catch Up – Wednesday 2 August
A Year 7 coffee catchup will be held at Brick Lane Expresso on Wednesday 2nd August in West Pymble shops from 8 am. This is a great opportunity to catch up with other parents, immediately after drop off and before you continue with the rest of the day. We look forward to seeing you there.
Year 7 Parents’ Dinner – Thursday 31 August
Please save the date for the Year 7 Parents’ Dinner which will be held Thursday evening 31 August. Details for the location and time will follow soon.
Key Term 3 Dates
13 to 19 August – Year 8 National Exchange
Friday 25 August – Year 7 to 12 igsa Athletics
11 to 15 September – Year 8 Outdoor Education
Saturday 16 September – Garden Party
Jenny O’Donnell
Head of Middle School
From the Upper School
A message from Mr Riley, Head of Upper School
It has been a busy start to our second week of the term, with more exchange student arrivals, a fabulous NAIDOC week assembly on Tuesday, and an exciting Mind Body Spirit Day for our Year 9 students.
Our First Nations students spoke beautifully in assembly, with praise for Latiah McMillan in Year 10 who wowed the 2000 plus people in the audience with her rendition of Jessica Mauboy’s song. Latiah spoke authentically about her experiences at Pymble, her strong connection to her First Nations family here, and the journey she has taken. It was incredibly moving and powerful.
Year 9 enjoyed an action-packed Mind Body Spirit Day on Tuesday, with Nikki Davis from Enlighten Education joining us for the morning to deliver their Butterfly Effect workshop, before a sport round-robin to conclude the day. Please enjoy our student reflections below:
“We are feminists because we like music too much to walk home with only one earpiece in.”
That was a line some friends and I came up with when asked to create a slogan on why we are feminists. This line relates to the fact that, as girls, we have all been told by our parents to walk around with only one earpiece in, so that we can be aware of our surroundings and stay safe from attack. While we walk around anxiously eyeing all the men in our general vicinity, we see boys walking around absent-mindedly, with both earpieces in.
Today Year 9 participated in a four-hour workshop with Nikki Davis from Enlighten Education, to help us develop self-confidence and use our voices to speak up for ourselves.
I (like most of my friends) walked into the lecture theatre stressing about how I would sit still for such a long time, but four hours later I emerged, ecstatic. The time flew by. She was a captivating presenter – very funny – and spoke about things that related to all of us. She explained how the image of stereotypical beauty has changed and evolved over time, and that our own sense of self and self-worth is more important than stereotypes. She also explained that sometimes the toughest and cruelest mean girl is the one in our heads.
We all have bad days; we need to be kind – to ourselves and to each other.
We all walked away from today with something new. Whether that be a kinder lens through which we see ourselves, or a funny story that she told us; we all gained something special from her talk. I know it will be one to remember.
Written by Annie Liebmann
A massive congratulations to Hayley Cheung in Year 9 who won First Place in the South Australian Figure Skating Championships in Adelaide over the weekend!
Later in Term 3, all students will be invited to participate in an MMG Student Wellbeing Survey. The questionnaire is confidential and is an important part of our continuous improvement process.
From the Upper School Parent Group
Click here to purchase your tickets for the Year 9 Cocktail Evening on Saturday 5 August.
Also, save the date for the Year 10 Mother Daughter Day at Vision Vally on Sunday 8 October.
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 Dates in Term 3
Friday 28 July – TASFest (5.00pm onwards)
Tuesday 1 August – St. Edmund’s Athletics Carnival
Monday 7 August – YSafe talk to Year 9
Friday 11 August – YSafe talk to Year 10
Tom Riley
Head of Upper School
From the Senior School
Living in the Present
If departure is the past and arrival is the future, then the road is the present, and there is nothing more spiritually difficult, or spiritually rewarding, than learning to live significantly in the present. – Leon Wieseltier
The students in the Senior School, in both Years 11 and 12, are in significant moments of transition in their school lives. There is challenge in needing to be living in the moment and, simultaneously planning for the next stage in their lives. Sometimes, it can feel impossible to do both at the same time. Living in the moment has its rewards, but so does thinking about the future. Both of these strategies can rejuvenate us.
Some tips to consider for how to ‘cherish the present moment and chase the future’:
Envision the future you want
Set realistic goals
Savour the moment
Surround yourself with people and things you love.
We would like to pass on our very best wishes to all in Year 12 for their upcoming Trial HSC examinations on Monday. It is important at this stage of the HSC journey that the students have confidence in their preparation and abilities. The Trial examinations are an opportunity to practice skills and exam technique prior to the external assessment and understand areas that need further refinement.
During this time, the students are encouraged to maintain regular routines, practice self- care and realise that by maintaining perspective, they will achieve their best.
Following these exams, there is still plenty of learning to take place, so the girls should be viewing this as an ideal opportunity to receive feedback to extend their learning. Please don’t hesitate to contact the Senior School office should you have any concerns during this period.
Spinning Around!
Last week we learned some new skills with Dr Hadwen. In keeping with our focus on Wrap with Love and the knitting the students have been doing over the past term, Dr Hadwen brought her grandmother’s spinning wheel into the KM building to show us how to spin wool. Using wool from our own Larry the sheep in the Ag plot, the students learnt how to prepare the natural wool and then spin it on the beautiful old wheel! The wheel remains in the KM building and Dr Hadwen is visiting when she can to share the traditional skills with our students!
Jacaranda Award recipients
Congratulations to the following Senior School students who have been awarded a Jacaranda Award. This recognises their modelling of the College values.
Year 11
Saskia Raymond, Lucinda Woodfield, Susannah Su, Annabelle Cockle, Megan Wood, Alyssa Yip, Bella Jones, Young Cho, Xanthe Uther, Matilda Batman, Piper Gregory-Reid, Yuki Wang, Sally Cooper, Georgia Bicego and Sophie Beadman.
Year 12
Emma Lau, Laura Crocker, Jessica Colbran, Arabella Hunt, Kristina Pilkington, McKenzie Ward, Aimee Ng, Saskia Willoughby- Winlaw, Jemima Burney, Ashley de Lambert-McHutchison, Sophie van Kerkwijk, Dhiya Arun.
NAIDOC Assembly
My sincerest thanks and congratulations to all students involved in the NAIDOC assembly this week. We all enjoyed some wonderful dancing and singing, personal stories and celebrations of inspiring female elders who have been changemakers. The smoking ceremony as we departed the assembly was a wonderful way to conclude a thoughtful and powerful presentation.
Term 2 Key Dates
Friday 28 July – Year 12 Study Day
Monday 31 July – Year 12 Trial HSC examinations begin
Friday 11 August – Last day of Year 12 Trial HSC examinations
Monday 28 August – Year 11 Examinations begin
Friday 8 September – Last day of Year 11 Examinations
Monday 18 September – Year 12 Picnic Day
Wednesday 20 September – Year 12 Honouring Ceremony
Thursday 21 September – Year 12 Awards, Year 12 Final Chapel Service and Year 12 Valedictory Dinner
Nikki Wyse
Head of Senior School
From the Boarding School
Our Boarding family spans from as close as Willoughby to as far as Dubai and it is a real treat for me to be able to be visit our families in their hometowns and gain a better understanding of the everyday lives of our Boarders. Last week I was lucky enough to spend a few days on the road in Northern New South Wales, primarily in Moree and Narrabri. I was joined by our Principal Dr Hadwen, Head of Agriculture, Grant Jackson and Enrolments Manager, Clair Stock. A real highlight for us was a tour of Rose Kirkby’s cotton farm in Moree. Rose’s dad gave up his morning to show us around and talk all things cotton. It was hilarious when we asked if we could have some cotton to bring back and he happily yanked out a few plants!
The trip really cemented for me that Pymble is absolutely the right choice for our country girls – at home they are surrounded by wide open spaces and I understand the appeal of our beautiful campus where they can look out their windows and see grass, ride bikes and spend time in the Ag Plot. Fortunately, our parents (and grandparents!) agree and it was great to meet with many of them at a function in later in the evening.
The following day, Clair and I head off to Narrabri and it was lovely to catch up with ex-Boarder, Sue Allan (Hunt 1951) and the Melton family and to meet many other families who are thinking about joining us at Pymble in the future.
For our Elders
This week we celebrated a slightly delayed NAIDOC Week. All of our First Nations Scholars are Boarders and we are so proud of the thought provoking assembly they organised and presented on Tuesday. All our Boarders joined in the celebrations by decorating the Boarding Houses. We feel so fortunate to have our First Nations sisters as part of our family and value their perspectives, wisdom and teachings that they share so generously.
Watch our Head Boarders shine
We always knew our dynamic duo of Amarley Bron and Abigail Ballhausen (Abby) were pretty special and this last week has definitely left no doubt in our mind.
Last Wednesday, Amarley featured as panel member in a joint collaboration with Q+A and BTN focusing on the voices of the next generation in a digital special. The panel and audience of Gen Z, along with Minister for Youth, Anne Aly, discussed some of the big issues they’ll be facing in the years to come. As always, Amarley did us proud, providing insightful feedback in her usual engaging and informed manner. You can watch the program at https://www.abc.net.au/qanda/q-a-x-btn-high-special/102558630 .
And, while Amarley was challenging us to think more deeply about technology, Abby was on the track working hard. She was justifiably rewarded with first place in the NSW All Schools Cross Country Championships. Abby competed in the 17 years, four-kilometre event at Eastern Creek with nearly 100 competitors in her race. It was a fantastic event, with Abby taking the lead shortly after the start and no one could catch up.
Abby is a study in dedication and determination, competing in every State Cross Country Championship since she joined us at Pymble in Year 7 and placing either first or second in her events. We are delighted that she was awarded Gold in her final year at Pymble. She has qualified for the National Cross Country Championships to be held in Canberra end of August and we look forward to cheering her on.
Our Swift Super Star
Congratulations to another superstar Year 12 Boarder, Grace Whyte who has been selected as a valued member of the 2023 QBE Swifts Academy Team and will play in the Australian Netball Championships in Queensland between August 21 – 27. The event is a pathway competition for emerging national talent for netball across Australia and the world’s leading netball competition.
Love It Program – Off to a Fabulous Start! – Kate Inglis (Acting Deputy Director of Boarding)
Our Boarders have embarked on the “Love It” Program with many showing enthusiasm for activities over the weekend. Last Friday evening, our younger Boarders joined the Pymble Community by attending the Cultural Festival – Dragon Boat Dinner. This wonderful event not only connected our Boarders with a taste of home but also provided a joyous opportunity for them to celebrate the Double Fifth or Dragon Boat Holiday.
This term, we have achieved a record number of Boarders participating in co-curricular sports. Netball and Hockey kicked off with great excitement last Saturday morning, and our campus was buzzing with energy as the matches unfolded. It was wonderful to witness Boarding Sisters and Staff cheering on our girls from the sidelines, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie among our Boarding Community.
We are also thrilled to have Marden Boarders participating in Water Polo and AFL, as well as signing up for the Winter Rowing Program with our Senior Boarders. With the commencement of Rugby this weekend, we look forward to supporting our Boarders on the sidelines.
Competitive Fun – Mini Golf and Manly Adventure
Our Boarders truly know how to have a blast! Saturday evening saw the girls donning their best golfing attire for an exciting game of Mini Golf. The competitive yet encouraging spirit was present, and it was impressive to see many of our girls completing the course in record time! The following day, our younger Boarders embarked on an adventure to Manly, exploring the scenery of Sydney and its various modes of transport, all while enjoying the picturesque beaches and, of course, a delightful ice-cream treat!
Christmas in July – A Festive Delight!
Our Boarding Community celebrated Christmas in July on Sunday Evening. Our Spirit House Captains worked their magic, decorating the dining hall with baubles, tinsel, and bon-bons, setting the spirit! After the laughter and corny jokes from the bon-bons, girls and staff feasted on a special Christmas Menu, enjoying the delights of roast turkey, maple-glazed vegetables, and pavlova. The occasion left both staff and Boarders feeling the Christmas spirit early, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible Kitchen team for their exceptional efforts in catering for this joyous occasion.
Love It – Week 2
Friday: TAS Fest and Senior Social with Knox
Saturday: Year 10 Formal Dinner with Newington, Barbie Movie, or In-House Games Night
Sunday: Bacon & Eggs Rolls and Year 7 & 8 Bowling Event with Knox
View From My Window
Hi, I’m Boa, and I’m a Year 10 Boarder here at Pymble. When I’m not at school, I spend my days in Seoul, South Korea, where I’ve lived for the past five years. Back at home, I seldom get the opportunity to feel lonely, as I find myself in the constant company of my family; this includes my mom, my little brother, Oliver (who currently boards at Knox), and my dog, Toto! Though I may have been in adamant disagreement if you asked me a couple years back, I’ve really come to appreciate having a sibling, and someone to spend the bustling or quiet days and nights with.
I’ve moved several times during my time in Seoul, my first place of residence being this apartment complex near my school. However, due to feeling as though the house were too empty now that she’d sent my brother and I overseas, my mom decided to move to a smaller yet nonetheless cosy townhouse in the same district as my previous home. Though this does mean that I am now resigned to sleeping on the couch whenever I visit home, I was delighted by this change of pace.
Though this isn’t a common occurrence, the views from my window that I cherish most are the ones in which I get to look out onto the veranda to see the snow dappled trees, the flurries of white powder pelting down from the sky. The photo doesn’t do the sight justice, it’s a truly magical experience. The snow is a summoner of joy and warmth within my household, the crisp breeze carrying the cheer, hope and endearment that trademarks the festivities of winter.
My mom loves to make the most of my brother and I’s quarterly returns to Korea. She regularly takes us on picnics, we spend weeks every winter skiing just out of Seoul, and best of all, we get to properly indulge in Korean food – which I’d highly recommend to those of you who’ve never tried it before. I spend my winters out in the snow, and my summers cooped up in my air-conditioned house, as it gets so hot that simply stepping outside becomes a feat of great physical exertion.
The alluring views and flavours from back home are wonders in themselves, yet my favourite part of returning to Korea has to be getting to see my friends and family again. And despite my fondness of my home, and its stark differences to life in Australia, I’m never disappointed when returning to boarding. It’s always such a delight to get to see my friends, the staff, and all your familiar faces again.
Boarder of the Week
Cleo has been a delightful and exemplary Boarder since she joined us in Year 7 at the start of the year. She hails from the lovely mountain town of Bilpin, where her family run a cider shed. Cleo is calm and measured in all her interactions with staff, as well as her peers. She keeps her room tidy and her uniform perfect every day. She keeps busy and involved and manages her schedule without fuss. It comes as no surprise that Cleo was nominated for Boarder of the Week by one of her Boarding sisters – here’s what she had to say:
Cleo has been such a big help for me since I hurt my leg. She puts my sheets on my bed for me because I can’t do it by myself. She also helps me down the stairs when I’m having trouble. She has been such a kind and caring friend, she deserves the award.
We couldn’t agree more! We are so proud of Cleo’s selflessness and willingness to help others in need. She exemplifies the College values and we are delighted to have her as part of our Pymble Boarding Family.
Save the Date
Friday 4 to Sunday 6 August – Boarder Parents Regional Weekend in Mudgee
13 August – Combined Chapel service – All Boarders required to be in attendance between 9.00am and 11.30am
8 September – Pymble in Orange
15 September – Boarder Parent Group meeting and Community Event – all Boarders required to be in attendance
16 September – Garden Party
20 September – Year 12 Boarder and parent celebration
21 September – Year 11 and 12 Speech Day and Valedictory Dinner
Carolyn Burgess
Head of Boarding
From the Chaplains
There is a simple wooden statue that sits on the windowsill in the Chaplains’ office. I often look at it as I am reflecting and preparing a lesson, a chapel service… or a newsletter article!
The statue represents Jesus Christ, arms outstretched. It is of course also symbolic of the cross.
Those arms, eternally outstretched, are ready to embrace each individual and indeed the whole world.
They remind me that God is a God of invitation, not exclusion.
They remind me that God is a God of relationship, not of splendid isolation.
They remind me that God is Love.
These eternally outstretched arms also remind me that I, too, as a limited human being (but made in the image of God) need to stretch out my arms to embrace others. To invite, to include, to listen, to acknowledge.
Sometimes it’s easier to not invite and to not include. To keep our arms closely folded.
But I think every time we do offer, or include, or invite or listen, we open up more spiritual space within us. We expand as a human and become more, somehow. And then we have more to give!
Sometimes it’s as simple as rejoicing with those who rejoice and crying with those who cry. The apostle Paul wrote to the fledgling church in Rome, encouraging the believers there to be a community of love and peace:
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:15-18)
The arms of God are always open to us, whenever we want to run back into them. Just as the father in the story of the rebellious, disrespectful, selfish, ‘prodigal’ son runs to welcome his son back, so too does God meet us, in all our messiness and imperfections, where we are and embraces us.
“But while his son was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)
We are able to enter into this gracious embrace and invitation from God because of what Jesus has done on the cross for us.
I pray that, whatever your faith tradition, your family will have a safe and blessed week, and that you will feel the embrace and invitation of God.
Edwina O’Brien
Assistant College Chaplain
From the Futures Team
Don’t miss out on valuable work experience opportunities!
As the academic year progresses, it’s been a great time to reflect upon the exciting opportunities students have engaged with beyond the classroom. One such valuable experience is Work Experience, a program that offers students the chance to gain real-world insights and develop essential skills. So far, students have participated in work experience programs with:
– Veterinary clinics
– SBS
– Sky News
– Taronga Zoo
– Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE)
– UTS – IT and Engineering
– Animal Logic / Disney Studios
– Carla Zampatti
– Australian Museum
We encourage all eligible students to participate in this enriching program, but it’s crucial to be mindful of the application process to ensure a smooth experience for everyone involved.
What is Work Experience?
Work Experience is an incredible chance for students to step into a professional environment related to their field of interest. Through this program, they can gain hands-on experience, learn about various industries, and explore potential career paths. It’s a fantastic way to bridge the gap between learning and the real world of work.
Why Should You Participate?
Participating in Work Experience offers numerous benefits, such as:
Practical Skills Development: Students have the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge to practical tasks, enhancing their skill set in the process.
Networking Opportunities: Building connections with professionals can prove invaluable in the future, potentially leading to mentorship or even job offers.
Confidence and Independence: By navigating a professional environment, students grow more confident and independent, better preparing them for the challenges of adulthood.
Resume Enhancement: Work Experience is an impressive addition to university applications and resumes, showing future employers the student’s commitment to learning and personal growth.
While we highly encourage all eligible students to apply for Work Experience, we kindly remind you to be mindful of the turnaround time required for the School Offices and Curriculum Office to approve applications.
To ensure a smooth process:
Start Early: Submission need to be received at least two weeks prior to the start of work experience. Don’t wait until the last minute to begin your application. The earlier you start, the more time you’ll have to gather necessary documents and information.
Review Requirements: Familiarise yourself with the program’s requirements and guidelines to ensure your application is complete.
Seek Guidance: If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Director of Futures and Partnerships, Mrs Kim Maksimovic.
Respect Deadlines: Be sure to submit your application before the specified deadline to allow sufficient time for processing.
emPOWER Lunch with Architects from Grey House Precinct
We were excited to welcome members of the team who are responsible for the Grey House Precinct build to our emPower Lunch on Thursday.
We thank our guests for their wise advice and for sharing their stories of how they have developed their skills in their industry;
Hailey Rivera (Project Manager, Impact Group)
Katie Lawson-Craig (Senior Architect, NBRS)
Saanya Parmar (Graduate of Architecture, NBRS)
Special thanks to Mr Liam Hume (GBE Partnerships Lead) and Mr Greg Hastie (Pymble’s Project Director of Masterplanning) for helping to make this opportunity happen for the students.
Students can look out for upcoming emPOWER lunches this term which will be advertised via email and the Portal.
emPOWER Lunches coming up:
Data Science emPOWER Lunch – Date to be confirmed
Dentistry emPOWER Lunch
Guests for Empower Lunches
We welcome members of the Pymble Community (including Alumni and parents) to be our guest speakers at emPOWER Lunches. Please reach out to the Futures Department (futures@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au) if you are interested in speaking to our students and helping to contributing to the careers education program at Pymble.
From the Community Engagement Team
Events Calendar
Pymble community events can be found in the MyPymble app under the calendar tab. For community events, you can click on the listing the link to purchase tickets and more details. This week our team is continuing to gear up for Garden Party on Saturday 16 September.
Dragon Boat Dinner
Last Friday 21 July the College hosted the first Cultural Festival, which in its inaugural year focussed on the Dragon Boat Festival, an important event on the Chinese cultural calendar. We loved seeing nearly 600 members from all corners of our Pymble community on campus to celebrate the diverse nature of the College.
The evening was full of performances from students in Kindergarten to Year 12, with craft stations and delicious yum cha-style treats also on offer. We’d like to send a sincere thank you and congratulations to the girls that performed and the parents, carers and staff from across the College who were involved. Please enjoy this short video of the festivities.
Vision Valley
Our second campus at Vision Valley also has a full calendar of events curated for Pymble students. Outdoor education is an important part of the Pymble experience, but use of the state-of-the-art facilities and stunning surrounds are not limited to year-group camps.
This term the Vision Valley team are excited to be hosting the Year 6 Father Daughter Camp and the Year 10 Mother Daughter lunch. These events offer an opportunity for parents to enjoy a range of games and activities with their daughters in a relaxed outdoor environment. Stay tuned for more information regarding opportunities for our families to visit Vision Valley.
Father’s Day
On Friday 1 September the College will host a Father’s Day event for all Pymble families and students. Dads and special friends will be welcomed on site to enjoy lunch and some games together on Main Oval. In the spirit of Pymble Gives Back this year’s event will support the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. More details will follow.
Enrolments on the road
Early this term our Enrolments team continued their tour of regional NSW, with visits to Moree and Narrabri. After attending the Narrabri Expo, Pymble held an event in Moree attended by some of our Boarding families and by Dr Hadwen. These events give our team the opportunity to connect with current and future Pymble families in their hometowns and offer an invaluable insight into the needs and requirements of our Boarding students to ensure their Pymble experience feels like home.
Foundation Ball
The Pymble Foundation leads philanthropic engagement across our community. This philanthropy benefits current and future generations of Pymble girls by funding buildings and facilities, scholarships, bursaries and other programs. It also enables the College to remain a world leader in educating girls and young women.
We are excited to announce our inaugural Pymble Foundation Gala Ball will take place on Saturday 14 October at the Art Gallery of NSW for a night of fun and community. Invites will be sent to the community next month.
Commemoration Day Chapel Service
Kelly Mancey
Director of Community Engagement and Advancement
From the Co-curricular Sports Team
The shortcode only works for newsletter articles
Opportunity to purchase photos
Photos of the Senior School Athletics Carnival (as well as a range of other sports) are now available to purchase online from our College photographer, Anthony Khoury Photography. Simply click the image below and use the password kelso when prompted.
Adam Raw
Director of Sport
From the Co-curricular Performing Arts Team
There is truly never a dull moment in the Pymble Performing Arts landscape.
This week has seen some wonderful achievements across the Performing Arts areas.
Congratulations to the Eisteddfod Navy teams for their commitment, enthusiasm and skills at the Ryde Eisteddfod.
I remain in awe of the scope and integrity of the various Language Arts teams’ participation in ongoing competitions and all the best for the PMUN Winter Conference tomorrow and Saturday!
It was a privilege to attend, with Mrs Turner, the studio performance of Penny Mills’ Year 12 students in the Chapel. The girls’ voices miraculously embraced this magnificent space with resonance, passion and truth. A joyful and vibrant occasion and congratulations to Penny Mills and her students Freya Carmody, Savannah Lumley, Claire Oslington and Amelia Seeto.
A huge congratulations to Estelle Vander, Fifi Heazlewood- Lee, Gigi Spiller and Evelyn Zhu who taking the top four awards at the Ryde Eisteddfod. A tribute to their great skills and the expertise of their teacher Mrs Clancy.
Finally, all the very best wishes to Year 12 Performing Arts students who are embarking upon the Trial examinations next week. Our thoughts, support and love go with you.
Michael Griffiths
Director of Co-curricular Performing Arts
The shortcode only works for newsletter articles
Co-curricular Administration
2023/2024 Co-curricular Captain Voting for Students
The Captain voting process has begun to select the new Co-curricular Captains for 2023/2024. All eligible students were sent emails last week detailing the nomination process which closes on Friday 28 July. If your daughter would like to nominate herself to be considered for a Co-curricular Captain position, please remind her to complete the application before they close. Voting will commence around Week 4.
Term 3 Co-curricular Programs
Most Co-curricular programs have now begun for Term 3/Semester 2. Confirmations for all programs starting in Term 3 were sent on Thursday 13 July. If you have not received confirmation of your daughters’ program or have any questions about your daughter’s registrations, please do not hesitate to contact Co-curricular Administration at ccsa@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.
If you have missed registering your daughter for a program, or would like to request a transfer between programs or withdrawal from a program, registration requests can be made by clicking here and completing the Co-curricular Registration Request form. Please note, we are receiving a high volume of emails, calls, and registration requests at this time so we appreciate your patience as we get back to you which may take a few days.
Term 4 Saturday Sport Registrations
This is a reminder that registrations for Term 4 Saturday Sports will remain open until Friday 4 August at 12.00pm. The options available to students are as follows:
IPSHA Basketball (Years 3 to 6)
IPSHA Cricket (Years 3 to 6)
IPSHA Tennis (Years 3 to 6)
igsa Tennis (Years 7 to 12)
igsa Touch Football (Years 7 to 12)
igsa Water Polo (Years 7 to 12)
Summer Rowing (Years 7 to 11)
Santa Sabina Volleyball (Years 7 to 12)
Pymble Cricket (Years 7 to 12)
All registrations are made via the online registration system, which can be accessed from the Co-curricular at Pymble pages of MyPymble (click here; parent log in required).
Monique Zahra
Head of Co-curricular Administration
Artistic Gymnastics
NL5-7 Metro State Trial – Saturday 22 July and Sunday 23 July 2023, Sydney Gymnastics Centre
What a great performance by all our gymnasts on the weekend. Our Level 5 to 7 girls hit the stage for their state trial and there were some fabulous routines. A big Well Done to all girls who took part.
Congratulations to the following girls who qualified for State Championships on Saturday 26 August and Sunday 27 August 2023:
Level 6
Sasha Clark
Vivienne Eaton
Rose Purcell
Gabriella Sheh
Mahika Swamy
Anna Wang
Level 7
Aimee Yap
Ellie Mason Jones
Alison Gestier
Head Coach – Artistic Gymnastics
Athletics and Cross Country
Congratulations to all ten Pymble athletes who competed at the NSW All Schools Cross Country championships last Friday 21 July at Eastern Creek.
A special mention to the below girls:
Abigail Ballhausen (Year 12) – 1st 17 Years 4km
Yi Ying Lim (Year 12)- 1st Para Athlete 3km
Gemma Dixon (Year 7)- 3rd 12 Years 3km
Lucia O’Dea (Year 12)- 3rd 18 Years 6km
Caitlyn Tan (Year 12)- 5th 18 Years 6km
Sophia Slater (Year 10)- 10th 16 Years 4km
Laura Verlinden
Sports Co-ordinator – Cross Country
Hockey
What a great start to the igsa Hockey season over the weekend, with Round 1 hitting off with all of our Senior Teams coming away with a win.
Well done to our Senior Firsts Team for defeating St Catherine’s 10-1, Pymble 2 had a competitive game against Santa Sabina and closing with a win 2-1, Pymble 3 showed off their skills and came away with a 1-0 win against PLC Sydney, and to our Pymble 4 Team with a convincing 6-1 win over Brigidine College.
Congratulations to all of our coaches and thank you to all of the Hockey parents/carers for their cheering and support on the sideline – it was certainly heard!
All the best to our Hockey players for Round 2 this week. Senior Firsts will play against the experienced Ascham, Junior first will play Wenona, and our Year 7 First will face Loreto Kirribilli.
Laura Verlinden
Sports Co-ordinator – Hockey
Junior School Sport
IPSHA Team of the Week
In a remarkable debut performance, IPSHA Touch Football Pymble 8 (Year 3) showcased their determination and enthusiasm as they took the field for their first-ever game of Touch Football in Saturday Sport. Despite being relatively new to the sport, the team embraced the challenge with open arms and demonstrated a true fighting spirit throughout the match. Although facing a more experienced opponent, the girls never gave up, and their tenacity was commendable. Despite the scoreboard, the focus was on learning and growth, and the players showed incredible sportsmanship and camaraderie as they supported each other on the field. The game was a fantastic learning curve for the team, and it was evident that they were eager to improve and develop their skills further in future matches.
Matt Tyson
Head of Sport – Kindergarten to Year 6
Netball
Saturday 22 June saw the first round of igsa Netball for 2023. This year we have a 12 Senior teams, 9 Junior teams and 8 Year 7 teams. We were very impressed with how all teams showed up ready to play for Round 1, with some impressive skills being shown on the court.
This season we have brought in the “Most Bravest Award”- This is going to be awarded weekly to Pymble Netballers who are attempting a new challenge or a new skill with a slightly uncomfortable edge. This will help with improvement through growth mindset and attitude of attempting to accomplish a new skill. We believe this will have a positive impact both physically and mentally in performance as well as influence the team’s powerful mindset.
Congratulations to the list of below players who were nominated for Round 1:
Madison Landgrebe (Year 7), Abby Pisani (Year 7), Madeleine Gaden (Year 7), Ruoyuan Shen (Year 7), Wynter O’Regan(Year 12), Amy Mao (Year 10), Penelope Danziger (Year 9), Melanie Tan (Year 10), Aahana Paliwal (Year 7) and Ava Geoghegan( Year 9).
The reward for the Most Bravest player is an Aerial Yoga Session being held at Wednesday Lunchtime.
Selected into QBE Swift’s ANC team
Congratulations to Grace Whyte (Year 12) who was selected into the QBE Swift’s ANC team. Traveling to Brisbane for a weeklong tournament at the end of August. We wish Grace the best luck with her upcoming adventure.
Rowing
Emily Sheppard (2019) wins gold at the U23 World Rowing Championships
Pymble rowing alumni Emily Sheppard is on top of the world after leading the Australian Women’s Coxed Four to a gold medal at the World Rowing U23 Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The crew had to use all the tools at their disposal after a start that saw them fourth at the 500m mark. After some key adjustments leading into the 1000m mark of the race, they took the lead and powered their way to the first Gold Medal of the regatta for the Australians.
Emily started rowing as a beginner with the Pymble Rowing Team in Year 10 and graduated in 2019. Emily has also coached within the Pymble program, before going on to focus her efforts to represent Australia.
Give Rowing a Go
If you are interested in giving Rowing a try, please contact the Rowing Co-ordinator, Mr Lewis Gray at lewis.gray@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au to arrange a complimentary ‘try it out’ session on the water in Term 3.
Rowing Information Evening
All students and parents are warmly invited to a Rowing Information Evening at 6.00pm on Wednesday 2 August, in the Jobson Lecture Theatre. If you are thinking about joining the Rowing team or have already signed-up and want to find out what’s in store this season, please come along and find out more.
Lewis Gray
Sports Co-ordinator – Rowing
Swimming
Mini Meet
On Monday 24 July 2023, Pymble Swimming had a great start to Term 3 kicking off with our first Mini Meet of the Term. The afternoon was fun and energetic from start to finish.
Our Pride and Engine Squad took charge again in leading our mini meet teams to some fun mystery IM races to start the race league. Then it was fire blazing into the 25metre and 50metre events. It was great to see our Tiger Shark swimmers having a go at the 25metre events. Well done to all! The support displayed by all teams was great to see, lots of cheering and smiles.
Special mention to Paris Zhang (Alumni 2014) for being the meet announcer and keeping the swimmers and parents engaged throughout the meet and Claudia Fydler (Alumni 2019) for doing a great job as the race starter, helping the meet to run smoothly.
The coaches would like to thank all swimmers and parents/carers in assisting to make our Mini Meets something to always smile about! Good things come from those who swim!
Rafael Rodrigues
Coach – Swimming
Tennis
Congratulations to Ashlee Narker (Year 12) for her recent performance at the J60 Gold Coast International Tennis Federation tournament. Ashlee finished as a finalist in both the Singles and Doubles events.
Jufri Foss
Sports Co-ordinator – Tennis
Volleyball
A huge congratulations to Chloe Gu (Year 10) for representing Australia in the Under 16’s Asian Volleyball Championships in China over the school holidays. We are all incredibly proud of her. Please read Chloe’s report of her time away with the team:
“Three months ago, I was selected to represent Australia in the first U16 Asian Volleyball Championships. This was a surprise for me, and I was really honoured to have the opportunity to play for my country. The trip to Hangzhou, China, is one that I will never forget. The first U16 Asian Volleyball Championships was different from all the competitions I had ever competed in. There were lights around the stadium for the media; cameras everywhere around the courts in case coaches challenge the referee’s call; volunteers picking up balls and providing balls for each server.
My time in Hangzhou was busy but happy. We woke up at 5:30 every morning for either a day of training or a game and had team meetings every night, which was a good way of reflection. We met athletes from different countries and areas: China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Taipei, Macau, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Thailand. Although our results were not very ideal, it was more important that we gained experience and learned more things and that we were happy.
This competition was very beneficial for my volleyball experience. I learned many things from it, like how to scout teams properly and how international competitions work – you had at least one training session each day. During this competition, I had the chance to develop my abilities of looking after myself and my leadership skills. Once, I led my whole team, including coaches, to a restaurant in the city without the help of liaisons. This trip also helped my socialising ability and learning different cultures. I had to speak in different languages to each team, and we got the chance to learn about their lives.”
Term 4 Saturday Sport – Santa Sabina Volleyball Registrations
Term 4 Volleyball registrations are currently OPEN and will close on Friday 4 August at 12.00pm (Midday). The Santa Sabina Volleyball competition in Term 4 is a great way to introduce yourself to the sport. All your games are played at the same venue (Santa Sabina College) and the same time, every week.
Chris Wood
Sports Co-ordinator – Volleyball
Water Polo
Pymble Water Polo has started the Term 3 season off strong. Pymble Opens team came away with a big win on Friday 21 July in the MLC invitational Competition, winning to Monte 16 to 1, Go Pymble!
Pymble Year 7 kick off their season with a double game on Friday 21 July, coming away with one strong win and one loss. Pymble winning to Pittwater House 16 to 0 and going down to Stella Maris College 10 to 2.
Pymble Intermediate teams both came away with strong wins on Monday 24 July. Pymble Blue winning to Redlands and Pymble Red winning to Pittwater House. Great efforts girls.
Under 16 Australian Water Polo team
Special mention to Zara Cooke (Year 9) and Kiera Mironova (Year 10) who toured Hungary and the Netherlands during the holiday break as a part of the under 16 Australian water polo team. The girls got to experience different cultures, sporting venues, training regimes, and playing styles throughout their international tour. We are excited for them to share their skills throughout the Term 3 season.
Brigette Moore
Head Coach – Water Polo
Dance
Eisteddfod Dance
Congratulations to our Eisteddfod Navy teams who competed at Ryde Eisteddfod on Saturday 22 July. Both teams performed well after a long holiday break and negotiated many student absences with quick re-blocking and teamwork in the week leading up the competition.
Although both groups did not place, they received some outstanding adjudicator feedback.
Katrina Cluff
Head of Dance
Language Arts
ArchdaleDebating
Archdale main competition debaters resumed on Tuesday 25 July with Round 6. Results will be published next week.
Round 7 will also be at Pymble next Tuesday 1 August, when we debate Monte Sant’ Angelo teams. Finalists for both Archdale competitions – Main Shield and Virtual/Invitational, will be announced following Round 7.
Sydney Social Debating (SSD)
SSD competition will resume each Friday at Pymble from 3.30pm to 6.30pm, from Week 4, 11 August. Please meet in C10 again. We are pleased to offer this developmental level competition to our Years 7 to 12 students again this term. Thank you to our student coaches and our adjudicators. CCSA will be sending registrations to all those who expressed interest.
IDC
Registrations will be sent to all who registered interest in IDC. CCSA will prepare these in the coming weeks. This competition commences in Term 4.
Model United Nations (MUN)
PMUN Conference
Tomorrow, Friday 28 July and Saturday 29 July, our PMUN team will be running our second interschool Winter Conference. We have a student guest speaker and a workshop booked with UN Youth. Interest is high and we look forward to a wonderful event. Thank you to Mulan Xu (Year 11), our MUN captain and her team who have worked hard to prepare for this. If there are any LA parents with a Working with Children check who would like to assist on Saturday for a few hours, please contact Mrs Hubbard. BHubbard@pymblelc.nsw.edu
Legacy Public Speaking
Best wishes to Jenny Xu (Year 9) and Leahara Wijesuriya (Year 7) who will speak at Queenwood on Thursday 3 August.
Bronwyn Hubbard
Head of Language Arts
Music
It seems I have the best job in the world: I spend each week congratulating our incredible students! During the week I learned that Constance Chow (Year 7) won first place at the group of Classical Song (15 & Under) in Sydney Eisteddfod on Wednesday 21 Jun. Constance is only 12 and was placed against many fine singers who were much older than she.
One of our singing tutors, Penny Mills held a studio performance of her Year 12 students in the Chapel. The students all performed some repertoire for their upcoming HSC exams, and I was again so impressed with the calibre of their talent. We are truly blessed at Pymble to have such wonderful tutors who share their passion for their instrument and teach our students so well.
Congratulations to Amelie Matthews (Year 11), who is singing and playing the role of Eponine in the Riverside theatre production of Les Miserables.
Monday 7 August: Tour 2024 – Spain/Portugal Expression of Interest meeting
6.15pm in the Music Gallery
All parents who have daughters who are interested in the Music Tour, please come along to this initial meeting to find out if this is the one for you. The tour is open to all singers and instrumentalists – it is a combined tour: bands/choir/strings.
Wednesday 16 August: Music Scholars Concert
6.30pm in the Chapel
Come and see our most talented young musicians perform and dazzle on their instruments – Piano, Cello, Trumpet, Double Bass, French Horn, Oboe, Euphonium, Clarinet.
Sarah Turner
Head of Co-curricular Music
Speech and Drama
Outstanding Solo Drama performances were given in the recent Ryde Eisteddfod by the following students. Congratulations on all counts for taking the top four awards in the event.
Estelle Vander (Year 11) 1st Place
Lydia Heazlewood-Lee (Year 11) 2nd Place
Gigi Spiller (Year 11) Highly Commended
Evelyn Zhu (Year 10) Highly Commended
Estelle Vander (Year 11)
Gigi Spiller (Year 11), Estelle Vander (year 11), Lydia Heazlewood Lee (Year 11), Evelyn Zhu (Year 10
Victoria Clancy
Speech and Drama Instructor
Commemoration Day
Mothers and Grandmothers Morning Tea
Year 6 Dads and Daughters Camp at Vision Valley – Don’t miss out!
There are limited places still available for the Year 6 Dads and Daughters PPA Camp at Vision Valley on Saturday 26 to Sunday 27 August 2023.
Join us for a great weekend of adventure activities, camping under the stars and meeting other dads while spending some quality time with your daughter in the great outdoors.
Places are filling quickly and will be allocated by date of registration and confirmed WWCC.
Registrations are now open for the Pymble private bus service during Term 3 – all students must be registered to catch the bus and must have a current student ID card to tap on and off each trip.
In Term 3, the bus service will operate from Tuesday 18 July to Friday 22 September 2023.
Please note changes have been made to Lower Northern Beaches (bus route 5). Check thebus stops and timesfor your preferred bus route. This will also be attached to your registration confirmation email as per normal.
Registration for the Pymble bus service is offered on a term-by-term basis, in two formats:
Term registration enables the student to access the bus service every day in the morning and afternoon. The charge is currently set at $430.00 per term.
Flexible registration enables the student to register for specific day(s) with a choice of morning and/or afternoon runs. The charge is currently set at $7.50 per trip.
A reminder for parents and students:
Student ID cards must be used to tap on and tap off each trip. If your daughter has lost her card, please contact College Services for a replacement form. The cost for a replacement card is $15, charged to your College account.
While face masks are no longer mandatory on Pymble buses or all public transport options as per the updated COVID-19 rules in NSW, students are encouraged to wear one when travelling on Pymble buses. Existing government guidelines for household contacts/positive cases remain in place.
Pymble buses can be tracked through the TransportMe Passenger app in real time using the free app, available on Android and Apple devices.
Please contact College Services via collegeservices@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au if you have any further questions about transport to and from Pymble Ladies’ College.
Rowing Information Evening
All students and parents are warmly invited to a Rowing Information Evening at 6.00pm on Wednesday 2 August in the Jobson Lecture Theatre, Kate Mason Building (Senior School Centre). If you are thinking about joining the Rowing team, or have already registered, and want to find out what’s in store for the upcoming Summer Rowing season, please come along and find out more! Please see attached poster for details.
Job of the Week
At Pymble, you will be wrapped in a culture of care, community and commitment to educational excellence. You’ll also enjoy all the benefits of a big and beautiful working environment. For more information about working at Pymble, click here.
Whether you are an experienced teacher looking to step into independent education with one of the leading girls’ schools in the country, or an accredited new graduate starting your rewarding career, you will be supported by a large and experienced department of passionate individuals with a focus on educational excellence.
Your depth of knowledge around the curriculum and passion for photography will bring a positive influence and inspire the desire to learn. Your emphasis in delivering dynamic teaching and learning experiences across all stages will empower our students to achieve their own aspirations and goals.
You will be supported in your own career growth with mentoring opportunities provided by this experienced department. The chance to work with some highly regarded educators who are willing and ready to share and impart their knowledge is a unique benefit, they are a cohesive, friendly and fun team to be a part of.
Our kind of team member
You will display the following skills and attributes:
Hold current NESA accreditation with at least 3 months validity on your maintenance requirements.
Have an excellent understanding and teaching experience in Stage 4 & 5 Geography and Commerce.
Be a positive and collaborative contributor to a successful department, committed to delivering excellence in educational outcomes.
Be adept and confident in differentiating curriculum in the classroom.
Have a strong understanding of the application of technology to enhance learning.
Be a reflective professional engaged in ongoing professional development and research in relation to your teaching and pedagogical practice.
Be committed to supporting inclusive and holistic student wellbeing.
Be supportive of the College ethos and able to demonstrate our values in your way of working.
With just under two months Junior School students are encouraged to enter the Garden Party Poster Competition, with the overall winner receiving an Unlimited Rides Pass!
Entries are to be submitted to the Junior School Office by Tuesday 29 August 2023. All posters entered will be displayed in the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts foyer at Garden Party 2023. Prizes and certificates will be presented at Assembly in the week before Garden Party. Multiple entries are welcome.
Click here to download a copy of the poster which you can print at home. Students/parents can also pick up copies at Junior School Reception.
Good luck!
Save the date: King of the Polar Bears ballet production
The Co-curricular Dance RAD Ballet Stream is presenting a narrated ballet featuring ballet dancers from Kindergarten to Year 11.
The Ballet will be a premiere production of The King of the Polar Bears adapted and directed by Theatre Manager Tonya Grelis and Choreographed by Dance Program Manager Samantha Hibburt.
It is a must-see event as the music and storyline will take you on a wonderous tale about love, loss and acceptance. The wise and mighty King of the Polar Bears loses his beautiful coat to human hunters of the artic. He is saved by the gulls who shower him with feathers from which he grows a new and magnificent plumed coat. But now because he is neither bird nor bear, his sovereignty is in danger because he looks different from his fellow bears. The King must overcome doubt and savage challenges to prove his worth and to show that after all, what really matters is what’s on the inside.
The show will be performed in the Gillian Moore Centre of Performing Arts (GMCPA) on Friday 1 September at 6.00pm and Saturday 2 September at 11.00am. Tickets go on sale in Term 3 via the GMCPA Box Office.
