Academic Learning Captains’ Report

Academic Learning

Esther Choi and Alexandra Whittingham, Year 12

ACADEMIC LEARNING CAPTAINS’ REPORT

Heading into 2021, we assisted Mr Raymond and Mrs Stanfield by attending weekly meetings to construct the Pymble Learning Framework. With the adoption of new resources such as Vision Valley and movement past the ‘2020 vision’, we worked to represent the student voice in discussions surrounding the future direction of Pymble learning and explored how academics can be best structured to support student success and wellbeing.

Summer Series

Over the summer holidays, girls from the Secondary School participated in the Summer Series. With a choice of four different courses, the girls made the most of their break by participating in the multi-day event over Microsoft Teams to build their skills and confidence. Students were able to choose from Learning to Lead in Sport, Careers Kickstarter, Be Great and Illustrate! and Design and Enterprise which were run by a combination of Pymble staff and experts from external companies. Led by Mrs Maksimovic, the series was a stunning success, with girls able to develop themselves and add to their Pymble Passports over Microsoft Teams, all from the comfort of their own homes.

Out of Hours Study

The After Hours Study program offered helpful structure and support to Senior girls throughout the year. Every Monday to Thursday and on Sundays, the Kate Mason Building and the Conde Library were open to quiet study for girls to complete homework and assessments. This program was continued into Week 2 of the April school holidays for students wishing to study quietly in a distraction-free environment.

In the Term 3 holidays, Year 12 girls were also able to sign up for study camp, run by the indefatigable Mrs Olsen, where they had access to experienced academic staff able to assist with marking, problem solving, and understanding content and questions. With dedicated exam rooms, collaborative planning rooms and catering throughout the week, girls were equipped with everything they needed in order to prepare for their upcoming exams.

Thriving Online

Term 3 began with an unexpected return to online learning, with COVID-19 restrictions sending students back to class on Microsoft Teams. Face-to-face learning and assessments were put on hold, nevertheless, Pymble students adapted incredibly to the transition of returning to online learning. Even with the air of uncertainty surrounding each week, thanks to the hard work of staff, Pymble was able to make a seamless transition onto Microsoft Teams. This move online also brought Year 11 exams and Year 12 trial exams onto a digital platform, with students invigilated over a Microsoft Teams call to preserve exam conditions. We commend all students for their resilience and adaptability in adjusting to difficult conditions. Esther Choi and Alexandra Whittingham, Captains of Academic Learning

Josephine Green, Year 8