Senior School programs

Important information

SECONDARY SCHOOL PARENT GROUP (SSPG)

The intention of the Secondary School Parent Group (SSPG) is to join together as a community of parents, carers and staff to create opportunities for the girls, their families, and their teachers to participate in events and activities. All College parents and carers are automatically members of the PPA and are invited to attend meetings and events.

The SSPG incorporates Year Group Co-ordinators to ensure support is provided for each grade. The SSPG meets at the beginning of Term 1 and operates under the Pymble Parent Association (PPA) constitution. At the beginning of each year the PPA will introduce the current elected leaders and the upcoming calendar of events with contact details.

MEAL OPTIONS

The Jacaranda Café, located just outside the Senior School Centre, is open for breakfast and during schools hours and offers a range of light meals, sandwiches, snacks and beverages for Senior School students and staff. Students who forget to bring their lunch and do not have money to purchase lunch at the café should report to the Senior School Office where they will be provided with a voucher for a sandwich, water and piece of fruit, provided by the Jacaranda Café. This will be charged. Additional catering options are currently under review. Prior to the start of Term 1 this information will be finalised and published on the MyPymble parent portal.

Senior School programs

“There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings.” – Hodding Carter

The above quotation effectively captures the challenges and opportunities presented to the girls in the Senior School. While continuing to develop the strong sense of community and joy of learning that have been established in the Middle and Upper Schools, Senior School students are also preparing to leave the College and ‘fly’ in their post-school lives. As such, these final years of school are an exciting time of growth, trial and reward. Through their involvement in College life, the young women of the Senior School develop greater responsibility, selfdiscipline, self-awareness and independent decisionmaking skills.

These capacities are fostered in the Senior School Centre – Kate Mason Building, as the students and staff embrace the possibilities and opportunities presented in the flexible learning spaces and stateof-the-art technologies. Senior School students are provided with a range of experiences which challenge them and enhance their academic, physical, social and emotional development. These experiences are developed through the vast choices of academic courses, co-curricular activities, such as sport, performing arts, community service, and the Compass program. Leadership roles for Senior School students are available in all of these activities. In these roles, students are encouraged to make a difference as responsible, compassionate and effective young leaders of their peers and the College.

CURRICULUM

In Years 11 and 12, English is the only compulsory subject. The remainder of each girl’s timetable is made up of subjects chosen from the following list: English Extension 1, Mathematics Advanced, Mathematics Extension 1, Mathematics Standard, Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Data Science, Physics, Ancient History, Modern History, Legal Studies, Society and Culture, Studies of Religion, Aboriginal Studies, Entertainment Industry, Dance, Drama, Music, Food Technology, Design and Technology, Hospitality, Software Design and Development, Textiles and Design, Business Studies, Economics, Geography, French, German, Japanese, Italian

Senior School programs

Beginners, Latin, Chinese, Classical Greek, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, Visual Arts.

Year 12 only: Mathematics Extension 2, History Extension, Science Extension, Language Extension, Investigating Science (2 units), Chinese Extension, Classical Greek Extension, French Extension, German Extension, Japanese Extension, Latin Extension.

ASSESSMENT BOOKLETS

Assessment Booklets can be accessed in the Curriculum section of MyPymble – click here. These contain all the relevant information about the formal assessment programs for Years 7 and 10 and Years 11 and 12. As well as some general information, they contain important rules and procedures for students, parents and teachers. The formal assessment requirements for each subject are also included. If you have any questions about the assessment procedures, please contact the Directors of Student Learning at curriculum@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.

LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The students in Year 11 have various opportunities to develop their leadership potential through serving in various positions. These include the roles of Senior School Leaders, Subject Captains, Captains of various sports, activities and cultural teams, Chapel Captains, SRC and Compass Group representatives. Each of these positions has its own selection criteria and process for appointment, which is clearly outlined with the students.

In their final year at the College, all Year 12 students are expected to act as role models and leaders. Senior badges are presented to all Year 12 students in recognition of this special role and the related expectations. As the most senior girls in the school, there will be various opportunities to develop individual leadership and management skills. The Prefect body is composed of Year 12 students elected to that position by their peers and teachers.

Each of the Prefect positions has a delegated portfolio. Year 12 students can also serve as Captains of various sporting and cultural teams, SRC and Compass Group representatives. There are also many opportunities for the students to lead a variety of committees in their final year at the College.

MENTORING

In addition to the girls’ Compass teachers, Senior School students can work with a mentor. Mentors are senior members of staff who will meet individually with the student, or mentee, to discuss their long-term goals and development. The mentoring partnership is a structured one-toone relationship that focuses on the requirements of the mentee. The relationship can be described as ‘walking alongside’ a younger person with the goal or aim of assisting that person to achieve their potential, in a supportive environment.

As part of the Compass program, students will submit their preferences for their mentor and the allocation will be made from this list. The mentoring conversations that follow are organised by the student. It is hoped that the mentoring program will: • provide opportunities for girls to engage and connect with a trusted advisor, or mentor, who can offer their guidance and support • strengthen individual capacity and responsibility to make decisions in consultation with others

• build authentic connections between girls and teachers.

Further information and the opportunity to select a mentor will be provided to the girls as part of their Compass program.

Senior School programs

STUDENT WELLBEING PROGRAM

Research has indicated that people are most likely to experience wellbeing, happiness and fulfilment when they have a strong sense of purpose and belonging. Our Student Wellbeing program acknowledges that there are strong links between learning, wellbeing, resilience and student academic achievement. The Senior School Student Wellbeing program is based upon the College values and aims to foster and develop in all students: • creative and critical thinking skills • flexible and collaborative thinking and work habits • positive thinking and academic resilience • connectedness, community spirit and service.

As the students learn to manage an increasingly demanding academic program, they are encouraged to consider the importance of balance in their lives so that they can continue to develop holistically and develop as resilient learners. In conjunction with our Compass program, the Directions program addresses these objectives to develop strengths in all fields – academic, social, physical and emotional wellbeing.

This program aims to encourage young people to challenge unhelpful thoughts and draws on positive psychology literature, taking a strength-based approach that removes the focus from ‘deficits’ to students’ inherent qualities and skills.

This requires more than just being able to overcome distressing feelings and adversity; it also involves being able to make mistakes, and learn from them, as part of the overall growth process.

To help to build confident, composed young women, we encourage Senior School students to: • exercise self-discipline and respect for others, to show courage in decision making and to take responsibility for their own actions • develop an awareness of interdependence • debate ethical questions and reflect on personal and ethical frameworks

• respect diversity and richness of backgrounds, cultures and abilities.

CAREERS AND FUTURES TEAM

The Careers office is available for appointments with students who wish to discuss their course, institution, and career aspirations. It is recommended that students see the Futures Advisor at least once in Year 11, whether it be for a very general chat to gain some direction, or perhaps with more specific questions about a career or course in mind. In addition to this, expect to hear from the Careers office often throughout Year 11, with information about various talks and webinars, group discussions during Compass time, Assembly presentations, and more. Please remember that you can access very practical advice too – how to write a cover letter and resumé, preparing for an interview, questions about changing subjects, post-school pathway alternatives, questions about scholarships and cadetships, labour market information, getting a job, and much more. Year 11 is a great year to learn about and get ready for the various opportunities that you may apply for in Year 12.

COLLEGE CHAPLAINS

Pymble Ladies’ College is a school of the Uniting Church in Australia and spirituality is at the heart of our community. Students and staff are invited to share in this journey which embraces and encompasses various religious and non-religious perspectives and life practices.

Working with the foundation of the Christian faith as understood by the UCA (Uniting Church in Australia), we are inclusive and respectful of diversity. Our regular chapel services recognise not only the Christian holy days, but also holy days of other faiths and special UN dates for the rights of people around the world as well as social justice issues for example, climate justice action. Chapel services focus mainly on values and promoting harmony and respect among the community. All are welcome.