Junior School Handbook 2021

Junior School

“ We don’t just dream.

We do.”

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Junior School Handbook

‘Watch us Change the World’ is our statement of intent and exists to instil courage in our girls, to create the future they want to see for themselves.

At Pymble, we foster a world-class educational environment with the importance of global citizenship and a worldwide perspective central to our strategic intent.

Our girls are compassionate and courageous Pymble women, masters of their own fate, who will go on to influence and change the world.

Our vision is for our girls to become influential and compassionate women.

Our five values of Care, Courage, Integrity, Respect and Responsibility reflect our spirit, heritage and traditions, our Christian beliefs as a Uniting Church school, and our commitment to providing meaningful, personal learning experiences for every Pymble girl.

Courage, through the attributes of fortitude, strength of character, resilience and determination, gives us the confidence to stand up for what is right, respond to the needs of others and make a positive, purposeful contribution to the world around us.

Courage Care

egrity Int

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Care for self and concern for others sustain and enhance our social, physical and learning environment.

We express care daily through considerate and compassionate attitudes and behaviour.

Integrity is evidenced through sincerity, a commitment to the truth, and habits of sound judgment and ethical conduct.

By adhering to high principles, we develop the moral framework fundamental to achieving great personal fulfillment and contributing positively to society.

Respect enables the richness and diversity of all backgrounds, cultures and abilities to be held in high regard.

Through respect, we promote greater self-esteem in ourselves and others, and create a community where achievement, education and life balance, and a love of learning are supported.

on Resp

si

Responsibility encourages leadership and initiative, a spirit of service and commitment and the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the College community and, ultimately, society at large.

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Junior School Handbook

Contents Principal’s message........................................................................................................................... 6 Message from Head of School – Kate Brown............................................................................7 Our Junior School campus............................................................................................................ 8 Academic, digital, social and emotional intelligence............................................................. 10 Learning .............................................................................................................................................12 Digital fluency ................................................................................................................................. 14 Curricular Music................................................................................................................................15 Co-curricular – Performing Arts.................................................................................................. 16 Co-curricular – Sport.......................................................................................................................21 Co-curricular – Extended Learning.............................................................................................21 Outdoor Education......................................................................................................................... 22 Mind-Body-Spirit.............................................................................................................................. 24 Out-of-School Hours Care (OSHC)............................................................................................ 25 Vacation Care................................................................................................................................... 25 Nutrition at Pymble......................................................................................................................... 25 Transport options............................................................................................................................26 Five schools, one college..............................................................................................................28

Welcome to Pymble Thank you for taking the time to consider

Our Junior School is a dynamic and

Pymble Ladies’ College for your daughter. friendly place where natural curiosity and enthusiasm to learn is fostered in

“ Being Pymble Proud starts with being the best version of you.”

DR KATE HADWEN

We are often asked, what makes Pymble

students in Years 3 to 6. With a key focus

so special? That’s easy. It’s our girls.

on kindness – to others, the environment

Pymble girls have every opportunity to harness their unique inner strengths and develop the knowledge and skills they need to reach their full potential.

They bring passion and purpose to

and self – girls are encouraged to be bold in their thinking and to approach their learning with growth mindsets. This includes being open to making mistakes and persevering in the face of challenges.

everything they do. They are change

In 2022, our Preparatory and Junior

makers in the classroom, in their

Schools will combine to become

community and in the world. If they

one united Junior School for girls in

can dream it, they can do it at Pymble.

Kindergarten to Year 6, providing greater

This is an exciting time for you and your daughter to learn more about our College and our Junior School.

Our new strategic plan, Watch Us

capacity for girls to interact and form relationships with students in other Junior School years and increasing the sense of connection and belonging for all.

Change the World, has been developed

We warmly invite you to visit our campus

around four learning pillars designed to

and experience firsthand the culture of

build academic, emotional, digital and

our much-loved College. From our family

social intelligence. Underpinning the

to yours, we look forward to welcoming

pillars is our Mind-Body-Spirit Framework,

you to Pymble.

which positively influences our girls in terms of their awareness, resilience, character, purpose, relationships and lifestyle choices.

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Junior School Handbook

DR KATE HADWEN PRINCIPAL PHD, M.ED, GRAD CERT ED LEADERSHIP, B.ED

HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL WELCOME We are delighted that you are taking the

Our staff are committed to creating

time to find out more about what our

a respectful and caring environment.

Junior School can offer your daughter.

Our College values and The Junior School provides a nurturing

kindness are at the heart

environment for girls in Years 3 – 6 to

of our Junior School and

be curious, to question, to explore and

the girls are encouraged

to challenge themselves as they grow

to be kind to others, to

and learn.

the environment and to themselves. Our kindness

We value the voice of our young learners

ambassador, Heidi the Hedgehog is a

and celebrate the strengths each of our

much loved feature of our Junior School.

girls brings to our Junior School family.

We want our girls to know themselves

We want to empower each Pymble

and to know that we know them too.

girl to know her voice matters, and the girls are offered a myriad of leadership

We provoke critical and creative thinking

opportunities including Sustainability

in our girls through inquiry based learning

Captains, Kindness Captains, ICT

and real world experiences. We look to

Captains and Student Representative

foster a sense of agency in our girls as

Council Captains to develop their

we help them to grow and deepen their

confidence and sense of self.

knowledge of their world. Our girls are encouraged to embrace their learning

We look forward to meeting you and

as an adventure, to ‘have a go’, to

encourage you to come and see, hear

celebrate mistakes and to face each

and feel the love, learning and positive

learning opportunity with courage and

energy within our Junior School.

an open mind.

MRS KATE BROWN HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

Our Junior School campus Our Junior School provides girls in

Flexible work areas have been designed

Years 3 to 6 a wonderful learning

to cater for small and large group

environment, where kindness is integral.

activities, and there are also quiet areas

Here, girls have access to custom

to allow individual study.

facilities including their own library, a dedicated playground and hall,

Junior School girls can spend time in

along with music, arts and

the many different locations within the

technology resources.

sweeping heritage grounds of the Pymble campus to access our sporting fields and

Pymble’s Junior School offers girls

urban farm. When girls begin high school,

a range of innovative learning spaces,

they are familiar and comfortable with

many with bright colours and soft

the College.

furnishings, including a unique open learning environment for our Year 5

Our Junior School also shares a special

and Year 6 students.

safe drop-off zone with our Middle School so siblings can arrive together.

Academic, social, digital, emotional At Pymble, we commit to knowing each

Digital

student as a unique person. Learning at

We support girls in building a healthy

Pymble is holistic, and girls are supported

relationship with technology, developing

to grow and nurture their intelligence in

the digital fluency they will need to

four key areas:

thrive in tomorrow’s workplace, to

Academic We are here to share knowledge with

create and change and innovate, making connections and activating human potential in the digital world.

our students, to cultivate their curious minds, to springboard their growth

Social

and strengthen their abilities. Girls are

Pymble girls understand the power

challenged to think critically beyond the

of an inclusive and united community.

textbooks, to collaborate, to question,

They embrace their own story, respect

to problem solve and to engage with

diverse representation in faith, ability,

the world.

background and culture, and value

Emotional Pymble girls learn to love life with humility, gratitude and grace, and to build character and resilience in the face of any adversity. We encourage our girls to connect with each other and with others and seek enjoyment through every experience.

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Junior School Handbook

diverse perspectives from people of all backgrounds.

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Junior School Handbook

Learning Our Junior School provides outstanding educational opportunities to help every

LEARNING SUPPORT AND GIFTED AND TALENTED

student reach her potential. We commit to

Our Student Support Services team is

knowing each girl as a unique person, to

dedicated to ensuring that the learning

make sure she is challenged in her learning environment at Pymble is fully inclusive and that she grows as an individual. and that every girl can access what Through the core Junior School subjects, girls develop a firm foundation for the rest of their educational journey.

Our curriculum meets the requirements of the NSW Board of Studies, with strong integration across all key learning areas of English, Mathematics, Science

she needs, from a broad range of learning experiences.

For girls who need extra attention in literacy and numeracy, we provide intensive support and challenge and provide extension activities to springboard their academic future.

and Technology, Human Society and

Our targeted programs ensure that

Environment, Personal Development,

students with a physical learning or

Health and Physical Education and

English language difficulty can participate

Creative and Practical Arts

in the education and opportunities

Our specialist teachers plan and implement programs in Physical

provided at the College on the same basis as all students.

Education, Performing Arts and French.

Pymble’s targeted English as an

We also integrate technology into

Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D)

all areas of learning, using innovative

programs for students from Kindergarten

approaches and exploring new learning

to Year 12 will help girls develop and

possibilities. Girls also learn critical and

consolidate their reading, writing,

creative thinking skills, and benefit from

listening and speaking skills.

wide ranging Co-curricular opportunities in Sport and the Arts.

Digital fluency Through our Junior School Digital

Over time, girls gain responsibility and

Technology program, girls are

experience with their digital tools and

equipped with skills to become

gradually from Year 5, can take their

confident users of digital technology

iPads home.

and positive digital citizens.

Through moderated internet access Each girl in Years 3 to 6 will have

and curated online learning resources,

age-appropriate access to enriching

girls will learn to become confident and

digital learning opportunities, through

competent with iPads in a formal learning

their College-provided iPad.

environment and through gradual increased responsibility, will incrementally

Girls use the iPad as a technological

become a more responsible digital

platform to create, think and learn,

citizen in a monitored context.

adding digital pens and keyboards so their creativity can flourish intuitively.

Coding and Computational Thinking is embedded in the curriculum through

They learn to use digital tools for drawing,

“unplugged” activities, Apps and

photography, video and music, supported

interactions with physical coding devices.

by teacher led classroom resources to support girls in learning responsible use of technology in a safe environment.

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Junior School Handbook

Curricular Music Our Classroom Music program teaches

Our Year 3 String Program is open

skills in confidence and discipline as

to beginners and continuers on violin,

girls perform, compose and understand

viola, cello and double bass, using

music through practical activities. Girls

instruments tailor-made to smaller age

learn musical concepts, rhythm, pitch,

groups. All string students are also part

dynamics and instrumentation, along with

of the Year 3 Orchestra, tailored to all

singing and movement, percussion and

levels and enhancing their aural skills

body percussion, and join in group and

and harmonic depth. Afternoon

individual performances and investigation

rehearsals are required.

Girls in Years 3 and 4 study music as part

Our Year 4 Band Program is open to

of the Creative Arts curriculum. Girls have

beginners of a band instrument: flute,

a choice between the Classroom Music

clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone,

Program or the instrumental program;

trumpet, French horn, euphonium,

these are the Year 3 String program and

trombone, percussion or bass guitar.

the Year 4 Band Program.

Every week, girls will receive one 60-minute group lesson on their chosen band instrument, as well as a tutorial with an instrument specialist.

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Junior School Handbook

Co-curricular Performing Arts Co-curricular Performing Arts at Pymble incorporates five disciplines; Dance, Drama, Language Arts, Speech and Drama and Music.

DANCE Our Co-curricular Dance program is

Eisteddfod Stream The ‘Eisteddfod’ Stream includes selective groups of talented and promising dancers who wish to excel, challenged and form a dedicated Dance team. Entrance into this group is by audition only. All classes perform at Eisteddfods and the annual Dance Showcase. In Junior School, there is one Jazz group and one Lyrical group.

renowned for its diversity, high quality and holistic approach to Dance in

DRAMA

Education, with classes offered across

Students across the Junior School can

different styles and levels.

hone their stagecraft and dramatic

Onstage Stream The ‘Onstage’ Stream offers classes in a variety of styles, such as Jazz and Lyrical, to develop skills in technique and performance and work towards performing a routine at the annual Dance Showcase.

Sidestage Stream The ‘Sidestage’ Stream offers classes to improve a student’s technique and develop the dancer for the stage. These classes do not perform at the Dance Showcase.

performance skills in Drama Skills and Performance classes. Year 5 and 6 students have more options: develop performance skills in a Festival Team, develop improvisation skills in Theatresports, or create short films in Lights, Camera, Action. Some classes facilitate interschool drama competitions for selected students. In Term 4, all Co-curricular Drama students participate in either the On Camera Film Festival or the Centre Stage Drama Festival to showcase their year’s work to their fellow

Ballet Stream The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Ballet Stream offers classes in the RAD syllabus. Students have the opportunity to complete a Class Award or an Examination and perform at the annual Dance Showcase.

students, family and friends.

LANGUAGE ARTS

CHOIR PROGRAM

The Junior School Co-curricular

Our Junior School Choir is open to all

Language Arts program provides Years 5

Junior School girls who enjoy singing.

and 6 students with the chance to join

Years 5 and 6 choir members can audition

various debating and public speaking

for the Junior School Chamber Choir.

programs and competitions. Pymble enters Junior teams into both the ISDA

BAND PROGRAM

and IPSHA Debating competitions

Our three Junior School bands are:

throughout the year, as well as social debating classes in Semester 2 each year.

Stanhope Band

Auditions are held for entry into debating

Intermediate ensemble for girls with

teams. Classes in public speaking are

around one year playing experience

held during Semester 1 each year.

MUSIC Pymble has a long tradition of excellence in music and offers an array of bands,

Grainger Band Developing and advanced woodwind, brass and percussion players in Years 5 and 6. Entry by audition.

choirs, orchestras and small ensembles

Junior Jazz Band

for girls to join, as well as private music

Extension ensemble open by audition

tuition. Various ensembles receive

only, to Grainger Band members who

performance opportunities through the

are proficient performers on saxophone,

year and attendance at performances

trombone, trumpet, piano, guitar, bass

is compulsory for all students in

guitar, drum kit and jazz vocals.

participating ensembles.

PRIVATE MUSIC TUITION STRING PROGRAM

is offered as 60-minute, 45-minute or

players in Years 4 to 6 will play in the

30-minute lessons, depending on the

Junior School String Orchestra.

level of the student.

Advanced string players may also be invited to audition for the Junior School Chamber Strings.

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Junior School Handbook

Private tuition in several instruments

All developing and competent string

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Junior School Handbook

Co-curricular Sport At Pymble, our huge range of

gymnastics centre, synthetic hockey field

Co-curricular options provide girls

and multipurpose courts and ovals.

with the opportunity to join social or competitive sport.

Sport options for junior school include: AFL, Athletics, Basketball, Cricket, Diving,

For girls with special talents, Pymble

Fencing, Football (soccer), Gymnastics

offers an elite sportswomen opportunity

(artistic or rhythmic), Health and Fitness,

program from Year 7. Our coaches are

Hockey (Minkey), Learn to Play Sports,

among the best in the industry and our

Netball, Snow sports, Swimming,

world-class sporting facilities include

Taekwondo, Tennis, Touch Football

an indoor aquatic centre for swimming,

and Water Polo (Flippa Ball).

diving and water polo, a fully equipped

Co-curricular Extended Learning Additional extended learning options

and Film and STEM programs (including

include Co-curricular programs in Art,

coding and Robotics).

Beauty, Chess, Dance, Debating, Drama

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Junior School Handbook

Outdoor Education Pymble provides remarkable opportunities for girls in Outdoor Education and Experiential Learning. Key to building strong intra and interpersonal skills through learning by doing and exposure to different environments, outdoor education plays an important role in the Pymble learning experience.

The Pymble outdoor education continuum The Pymble Outdoor Education is a life changing journey embedded in

programs are carefully designed to

personal growth, connection to peers,

support girls in the following ways:

life skills, service, rites of passage and environmental stewardship.

COURAGE Supporting girls to step outside their

Vision Valley is the home to Pymble’s

comfort zones and build character to

Outdoor Education Programs and

weather the storms of life.

Experiential Learning. Set on more than 90 acres of land bordering the Berowra

WELLBEING

Valley National Park and located only 45

Build connections with nature, peers

minutes’ drive from the College, Vision

and teachers and an opportunity to

Valley provides an extensive, diverse range

disconnect with technology and connect

of opportunities for experiential learning

deeper with a sense of self.

and wellness activities for our girls.

LEADERSHIP Programs involve bush walking, campfire

Providing girls with a diverse range of

experiences, kayaking, bush art, team

opportunities for leadership

building activities and reflection time.

In Year 3 our girls experience their

MINDFULNESS

first overnight and in Years 4 to 6 they

Guiding girls to be present in their

increase the number of nights to

experience, having genuine downtime

include at least one night camping.

and being grateful for the moment and

Girls are involved in a regular program

opportunities they receive.

of environmental education and unstructured play across the Pymble and

PHYSICAL FITNESS

Vision Valley campuses.

The importance of physical fitness to support overall wellbeing and alleviate mental health issues.

Mind-Body-Spirit Pymble’s Mind-Body-Spirit Framework

Our Junior School Mind-Body-Spirit

is a multidimensional, holistic approach

Program is closely linked with our

to wellness and growth, encompassing

academic programs, with staff working

academic, social, emotional and digital

to develop in each student a feeling of

intelligence. Through the framework, girls self-worth, to recognise, articulate and gain the knowledge and skills to harness

regulate her emotions enabling every

their inner strengths and make positive

girl to achieve their individual potential.

choices in life. Our vision is to support our girls to develop into influential and

Through our Peer Support, Social

compassionate young women.

Development and Leadership programs, we foster the development of values

Pymble supports girls to realise their

such as commitment, self-discipline,

potential, learn to manage personal

co-operation and compassion.

success and challenge, and engage productively both at school and in the communities within which they live.

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Junior School Handbook

Out-of-School Hours Care (OSHC) Pymble offers quality Out of School

Friday and provides a healthy breakfast.

Hours Care (OSHC) programs for girls in

The After-School Care program runs

Kindergarten to Year 6. Our OSHC Centre

from the end of the school day until

was rated ‘Exceeding’ in all seven Quality

6.30pm, with a nutritious afternoon tea

Areas. Our highly qualified educators

provided each day. Our teachers can

provide an exciting play-based curriculum supervise homework and offer girls that adheres to the National Quality

a range of age-appropriate activities

Standards and adopts the My Time Our

including games and crafts.

Place framework for School Aged Care.

All educators have Working with Children The Before-School Care program runs

Checks and are trained in CPR, Asthma

from 7.00am to 8.30am from Monday to

and Anaphylaxis and/or Applied First Aid.

Vacation Care During school holidays, school-aged girls, All educators have Working with Children from five to 12 years old can attend Kids

Checks and are trained in CPR, Asthma

on Campus, Pymble’s School Holiday

and Anaphylaxis and/or Applied First Aid.

program between 7.30am to 6.00pm.

Nutrition at Pymble On the Run is an online daily lunch order

School. Lunches are delivered directly

service available to students in the Junior

to classrooms.

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Pymble Section Ladies’ NameCollege Title Name Page Title

Transport options Pymble Ladies’ College is easily accessible

• Lower North Shore – Neutral Bay,

by train or bus. The School Student

Northbridge, Castlecrag, Castle Cove,

Transport Scheme (SSTS) provides eligible

Roseville, Killara

school students with free or subsidised

• North West – Dural, Glenhaven,

travel on public transport between their

West Pennant Hills, Beecroft, Epping,

home and school.

Marsfield, Macquarie

PRIVATE BUS SERVICE The College has five private bus services to help parents avoid the peak-hour commute when transporting students to and from school each day. The morning

• Northern Beaches – Avalon, Newport, Mona Vale, Ingleside, Terrey Hills, St Ives • Lower Northern Beaches – North Curl Curl, South Curl Curl, Freshwater, Manly, Balgowlah, Seaforth, Wakehurst Parkway, Frenchs Forest, Belrose

run delivers the girls to Pymble before 8.00am and the afternoon run departs from the College at 3.30pm.

The five bus routes include: • Hunter’s Hill – Lane Cove, Longueville, Gladesville, Ryde, Macquarie

JUNIOR SCHOOL CAR LINE Our Junior girls share a dedicated pick-up/ drop-off area supervised by College staff.

The safe location on the Flagpole can be reached from the Avon Road Gate 1.

P

Five schools, one college Situated on 20 hectares of beautiful

woman ready to graduate, each new

park-like grounds on Sydney’s upper

school will offer girls greater challenges,

North Shore, Pymble Ladies’ College is

responsibility and opportunities.

a non-selective, independent school for girls from Kindergarten to Year 12, with

The College offers a world-class learning

Boarding available from Year 7.

environment that provides opportunities for excellence in academic studies, sports

Pymble is a school that inspires and

and the arts, a comprehensive curriculum

excites students to explore and extend

with outstanding facilities and a nurturing

their potential. As your daughter moves

pastoral care program that recognises

from the dependence of her first years

and develops each girl’s unique strengths

through to the independence of a young

and qualities.

B Agricultural Plot C Art Centre (Ferguson House) D Avonmoore

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Junior School Handbook

BOARDING

F G H I J K L

CENTENARY SPORTS PRECINCT

E Boarders’ Dining Room (Main Hall)

raith Williams Aquatic M B and Fitness Centre N Centenary Car Park O Centenary Walkway and Centenary Artwork P Gym, Artistic Gymnastics Centre (Jeanette Buckham Gymnasium) Q Mollie Dive Field R Sporting Courts

Goodlet House Goodlet Lawn Joan Hammond House Lang House Lang Lawn Marden House Marden Lawn

Gate 3

Gate 2

Main Oval

P Gate 1

Pymble train station

S

ollege Reception C (Isabel McKinney Harrison Centre)

a

eritage Centre (Archives, H Development, Alumni)

T College Uniform Shop

b James Kelso Pavilion and Field

U David Blackwell Music School

unior School (John Reid J c Building) OSHC Centre

V David Macfarlane Centre (DMC) W Dorothy Knox Building X Facilities Management Y Flagpole Lawn Gate 1 – Main Gates Z (John Marden Gates) 8 Gate 2 – Staff Parking 9

ate 3 – Deliveries G (Roland Love Gates)

Junior School Pick-up / d Drop-off Area at Flagpole Lawn e Liane Tooth Field f Main Colonnade g Main Hall h Main Oval i Middle School (Main Colonnade) j

Preparatory School Pick-up / Drop-off Area

n

Science Centre Science Lecture Theatre

o

econdary School Library S (Conde Building)

enior School Centre S (Kate Mason Building) p CISCO Room Jacaranda Café Jobson Lecture Theatre q Speech and Drama Centre r Sufferance Pathway s

echnology and Applied Studies T Centre (TAS)

t The Hub – IT Centre

illian Moore Centre for G : Performing Arts (GMCPA)

k Preparatory School

; Gloucester Lawn

l Pymble Train Station

v

< Grey House Walk

m Riverbed

w War Memorial Chapel

= Health Care Centre

u The Pavilion Upper School (Robert Vicars Building)

WATCH US CHANGE THE WORLD

TM

Avon Road, Pymble NSW 2073 | PO Box 136, North Ryde BC NSW 1670 Australia | Phone + 61 2 9855 7799 A SCHOOL OF THE UNITING CHURCH | ACN 645 100 670 | CRICOS 03288K 30

Junior School Handbook

2021-JUN-1v6

PYMBLELC.NSW.EDU.AU