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
Re
sp
ect
bil ity
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. 6
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. 14
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
