Preparatory School
“ We don’t just dream. We do.”
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Preparatory 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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Preparatory School Handbook
Contents Principal’s message........................................................................................................................... 6 Message from Head of School – Karen Ahearn.........................................................................7 Our Preparatory campus................................................................................................................. 9 Learning ............................................................................................................................................ 10 Mind-Body-Spirit.............................................................................................................................. 14 Technology........................................................................................................................................15 Kindy Club......................................................................................................................................... 16 Out-Of-School Hours Care (OSHC)............................................................................................17 Vacation care.....................................................................................................................................17 Meal options......................................................................................................................................17 Co-curricular programs................................................................................................................. 19 Outdoor Education.........................................................................................................................20 Transport options............................................................................................................................ 23 Five schools, one college.............................................................................................................. 24
“ Being Pymble Proud starts with being the best version of you.” DR KATE HADWEN
Welcome to Pymble Thank you for taking the time to consider
Our Preparatory School captures and
Pymble Ladies’ College for your daughter. engages the inquisitive nature of girls in Kindergarten to Year 2 as they We are often asked, what makes Pymble negotiate their world in a safe and so special? That’s easy. It’s our girls.
supportive environment. With a curriculum that places each girl at the
Pymble girls have every opportunity to
centre of her learning, staff encourage
harness their unique inner strengths
and support our youngest learners to
and develop the knowledge and skills
identify and achieve goals that reflect
they need to reach their full potential.
their individual learning journeys and
They bring passion and purpose to
help them to develop a strong sense
everything they do. They are change
of self-worth and self-efficacy.
makers in the classroom, in their community and in the world. If they can dream it, they can do it at Pymble. This is an exciting time for you and your daughter to learn more about our College and our Preparatory School. Our new strategic plan, Watch Us
In 2022, our Preparatory and Junior Schools will combine to become one united Junior School for girls in Kindergarten to Year 6, providing greater 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 around four learning pillars designed to
We warmly invite you to visit our campus
build academic, emotional, digital and
and experience firsthand the culture of
social intelligence. Underpinning the
our much-loved College. From our family
pillars is our Mind-Body-Spirit Framework,
to yours, we look forward to welcoming
which positively influences our girls in
you to Pymble.
terms of their awareness, resilience, character, purpose, relationships and lifestyle choices.
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Preparatory School Handbook
DR KATE HADWEN PRINCIPAL PHD, M.ED, GRAD CERT ED LEADERSHIP, B.ED
HEAD OF PREPARATORY SCHOOL WELCOME We are delighted that you are taking the
It is a community where we look to
time to find out what our Preparatory
provoke interest, understanding and
School can offer your daughter.
reflection as our girls’ knowledge of the world grows and strengthens.
The Preparatory School offers a quality beginning to school life for girls in
Our staff are committed to creating
Kindergarten and Years 1 and 2 in the
a personalised environment for each
NSW school system.
Pymble girl so that she has opportunity
to determine her own unique passions We have designed the Preparatory School and the encouragement to investigate as a respectful and caring environment her interests. where we value the curiosity and questions of our young learners.
MRS KAREN AHEARN HEAD OF PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Our Preparatory campus The Preparatory School is a dedicated
A major attraction for the students is
environment for Pymble’s youngest
the natural environment of the dry
students. The design of the facilities
riverbed where students engage in
encourages a variety of learning
creative play endeavours.
experiences, suiting individual, small group or whole class activities.
Pymble’s Preparatory School is located in a prime location within the larger
The school also features a dedicated
campus, so that students are embraced
library, performing arts space, separate
as part of the larger school community
student cloakrooms and playgrounds
while having their own nurturing spaces
designed for girls aged between 5 and 7.
in which to learn and grow.
Learning With small class sizes and a commitment
Our girls enjoy lessons in the following
to knowing each student as a unique
Key Learning Areas:
person, our Preparatory School
• English
encourages each girl to value themselves and others as they respond positively to being challenged in their learning and growth as individuals.
• Mathematics • Science and Technology • Human Society and Its Environment (History and Geography)
To ensure a firm foundation for future learning, girls participate daily in English and Mathematics lessons with additional support provided by our Learning Support Team. Staff provide occasions for deep understanding and learning connections across all aspects of the curriculum – through an integrated approach and personalised investigative opportunities. An extensive Co-curricular program is also available to our Preparatory girls, with activities including Speech and Drama, Dance, Gymnastics, Tennis, Swimming, Chess and Music.
CURRICULUM
• Personal Development, Health and Physical Education • Creative and Practical Arts • LOTE: Italian Our Compass class teachers work closely with the Preparatory School’s Learning Support Team to ensure sound literacy and numeracy skills are developed. Individual support programs are offered before school and within class and grade groups in Literacy, Numeracy and English as an Additional Language. Additional extension and enrichment opportunities are an integral component of Pymble’s committed approach to personalising the learning for each girl.
The Preparatory School curriculum reflects the requirements of NESA
Specialist teachers plan and implement
with strong integration across all key
programs in Personal Development,
learning areas.
Health and Physical Education (PDHPE), Performing Arts and Italian. Technology is integrated in all areas of learning to ensure innovative approaches and the continued exploration of new possibilities afforded by digital learning.
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Preparatory School Handbook
LEARNING SUPPORT We are committed to creating a personalised learning environment for each Pymble girl so she develops a passion for learning and scholarship, a strong assurance of her own worth, and the desire and values to
the development of English language skills along with enrichment and extension programs. The College is committed to ensuring that all students can participate in all education and opportunities provided at the College.
contribute meaningfully to her local and global communities.
ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE
The Learning Support Team are
Pymble offers targeted English as
dedicated to ensuring that the learning
an Additional Language or Dialect
environment at Pymble is fully inclusive
(EAL/D) programs for students from
and that a broad range of learning
Kindergarten to Year 12. The programs
experiences are accessible to all.
are designed for those who need additional assistance in development
Pymble offers a range of targeted
and consolidation of their reading,
programs to support the individual needs
writing, listening and speaking skills.
of students including learning support,
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Preparatory School Handbook
Mind-Body-Spirit The Student Wellbeing Program begins in
naming emotions, making friends,
Preparatory School, where girls across all
interacting positively with others and
year levels learn about understanding and living safely.
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Preparatory School Handbook
Technology From her earliest days at the College,
Students share their digital learning with
your daughter will have access to
their teachers and parents through the
intentionally selected digital learning
Seesaw Portfolio tool.
tools. Students in Kindergarten to Year2 receive an iPad provided by the College,
Access to the Internet is moderated,
granting them age-appropriate access
with online resources curated through
to enriching digital learning opportunities.
our Learning Management System and weblinks. All Preparatory students
Girls use a wide range of educational
participate in lessons to help them
and creative Apps across all subjects.
develop their digital skills and become
Coding and Computational Thinking is
positive digital citizens.
introduced from Kindergarten through “unplugged” activities, Apps and interactions with physical coding devices.
Kindy Club Kindy Club is an exciting program running
Educators provide girls with a
in conjunction with the Pymble School
warm, trusting, safe and predictable
Holiday Program, Kids on Campus during
environment that will build respectful
January, providing diverse opportunities for relationships with our educators and girls to explore relationships and ideas and
each other.
build a better understanding of the Pymble campus and the College’s core values.
Each day, commencing Kindergarten girls will have time as a small group to develop:
As children transition to school, their world expands to include a wider range of relationships, skills and activities. To assist this transition, we place great importance on encouraging and supporting the girls’ learning through play and personal interactions. 16
Preparatory School Handbook
• Relationships with their peers, through games and activities • Relationships with the educators involved with the Kindy Club program • Knowledge of the school environment through group walks and discussions.
Out-of-School Hours Care (OSHC) To assist families in managing their day-
be requested during the allocated times.
to-day commitments, Pymble provides
Girls also enjoy a range of activities
quality Out of School Hours Care (OSHC)
including games and crafts.
programs for girls in Kindergarten to Year 6. Our OSHC Centre was rated
Our highly-qualified educators provide
‘Exceeding’ in all seven Quality Areas
an exciting play-based curriculum
assessed in January 2017.
that adheres to the National Quality Standards and encompasses the My
The Before-School Care program runs
Time Our Place framework for School
from 7.00am to 8.30am from Monday
Aged Care. We manage our programs in
to Friday and provides the girls with a
accordance with the National and NSW
nutritious breakfast. The After-School
laws and regulations.
Care program runs from the end of the school day until 6.30pm. A nutritious
All educators have Working with Children
(and varied) afternoon tea is provided
Checks and are trained in CPR, Asthma
each day. Homework supervision can
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.
Meal options On the Run is an online daily lunch
the Preparatory School. Lunches are
order service available to students in
delivered directly to classrooms.
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Preparatory School Handbook
Co-curricular programs The Co-curricular Department at Pymble provides students from Kindergarten to Year 2 the opportunity to participate in a wide range of programs in addition to their classroom studies. These programs cater to a broad range of interests, abilities and aspirations. All programs offered aim to positively impact girls physical, social, emotional and intellectual development. The programs available for Preparatory School throughout the year include:
CO-CURRICULAR MUSIC Pymble has a long tradition of excellence in Music and offers an array of ensembles for students to join. We aim to provide students with learning experiences that will allow opportunities for participation in singing, keyboard and violin at varying levels suited to the individual’s proficiency and capabilities. The following classes are offered for Preparatory School students.
• Artistic Gymnastics • Artmaking • Athletics • Chess • Co-curricular Dance • Co-curricular Drama
• Preparatory Pizzicatos – Open to string players in Preparatory School who have had at least 6 months playing experience. • P reparatory Choir – Open to all students in Year 1 and Year 2 who enjoy singing.
• Diving
• Year 1 Violin and Cello Beginners Class
• Learn to Play Sports
• Year 2 Super Starters Keyboard Class
• Music
• Private Music Tuition – Private music
• Rhythmic Gymnastics
tuition for Preparatory School students
• Snowsports
in Violin, Viola, Cello and Piano.
• Speech and Drama • Swimming (booked directly through the Aquatic Centre) • Tennis
Outdoor Education Pymble provides remarkable opportunities for girls in Outdoor Education and Experiential Learning. Key to building and understanding knowledge through learning by doing, and through 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
Outdoor Education Programs and
to 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,
minutes’ drive from the College, Vision
peers and teachers and an opportunity
Valley provides an extensive, diverse range
to disconnect with technology and
of opportunities for experiential learning
connect deeper with a sense of self.
and wellness activities for our girls.
LEADERSHIP In Kindergarten and Year 1 programs
Providing girls with a diverse range of
will involve nature walking, campfire
opportunities for leadership
experiences, storytelling, bush art, team building activities and reflection time.
MINDFULNESS
In Year 2 our girls experience their first
Guiding girls to be present in their
overnight experience, with parents
experience, having genuine downtime
arriving on Saturday morning to share
and being grateful for the moment and
in the experience. Girls are involved in
opportunities they receive.
a regular program of environmental education and nature play across the
PHYSICAL FITNESS
Pymble and Vision Valley campuses.
The importance of physical fitness to support overall wellbeing and alleviate mental health issues.
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Preparatory School Handbook
P22 22
Pymble Section Ladies’ NameCollege Title Name Page Title
Transport options PRIVATE BUS SERVICE
PREPARATORY SCHOOL CAR LINE
The College has five private bus services
A dedicated supervised Preparatory
to help parents avoid the peak-hour
School pick-up/drop-off area has been
commute when transporting students to
set aside in a safe location on the Lower
and from school. Girls are able to start
Road which can be reached from the
using this service from Kindergarten.
Avon Road Gate 1 entry. The area is supervised by College staff and is a short
The five bus routes include:
walk from both the Preparatory School
• Hunter’s Hill – Lane Cove, Longueville,
and helps our youngest girls to be safely
Gladesville, Ryde, Macquarie • Lower North Shore – Neutral Bay,
dropped off and picked up each day. The arrangement ensures a quick and
Northbridge, Castlecrag, Castle Cove,
smooth transition to the classroom for
Roseville, Killara
our students.
• North West – Dural, Glenhaven, West Pennant Hills, Beecroft, Epping, Marsfield, Macquarie • 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
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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Preparatory 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 26
Preparatory School Handbook
2021-PREP-1v5
PYMBLELC.NSW.EDU.AU
