www.pymblelc.nsw.edu.au VOLUME 37 NO. 2 OCT 2013 textiles on parade Contents Page college news Principal’s Pen 2 College News 3 - New technology learning space - MS Readathon launched at Pymble Ladies’ College Preparatory School 4-5 Junior School 6-7 Principal’s Community Service 8-9 - Sudanese refugees tutored - Biggest Morning Tea Pen - Students help in Red Shield Appeal Launching our vision for the future, Towards 2020 – Striving for the - Support for Hamlin Fistula highest, in December 2012 has provided an impetus for staff, students - Elliot Costello inspires students and members of the College community to embrace their Pymble - Pymble Social Justice group - Students knit 1197 squares for charity educational experience. This is seen in stories in the October issue of the Pymbulletin highlighting the magnificent achievements of our Performance and the Arts 10-11 New technology - Australian landscape explored at Year 11 Art Camp students in curricular and co-curricular activities and their passion when - Harpsichord concert a magical evening engaging in community service programs. - Outstanding artworks on display Under the banner of our four strategic signposts – personalised learning space - Spectacular designs on show at Textiles on Parade education, people and culture, community and sustainability – we are Justin Raymond, Director of Innovative Technologies - Year 11 production – a show of ‘Marpleous’ fun providing an education that is founded on worldwide research, best - Exceptional performances at Year 12 HSC showcase The Hub, Pymble’s new service and learning space, was practice and collaborative learning and teaching. The importance of At the opening of The Hub, from left: Mr David Sexton, Head of Operational Academic Opportunities 12 officially opened by the Principal, Mrs Vicki Waters on technology and communication in learning environments has been Services, Mrs Vicki Waters, Principal, Mr Justin Raymond, Director of Innovative - Good Food Week Wednesday 24 July. recognised with the opening of the College’s new innovative learning Technologies, Mr Andrew Pender, pmdl Arichecture and Design Pty Ltd, and - Cambridge University commendation for Pymble student The Hub is a transformational IT space focused on the Mr Alex Coutts, Alexander Coutts & Associates. - African drumming space, The Hub. This fun and interactive centre provides a special place where students and staff can explore, consume and use 21st Century technology needs of students and staff. The space has Sports 13-15 a sense of ‘wow’ that encourages students to come in The IT work area provides the best possible environment to support the day to - Great year for diving at Pymble technologies in their learning. not only for help and support but to play, investigate and day operation of technology and state of the art facilities for the servicing and - Pymble pride on show at Athletics Carnival This Pymbulletin provides a showcase for some of our students’ imaging of laptops, improving processes and repair times. - IGSSA Cross Country Carnival achievements. Our Years 11 and 12 Visual Arts students have displayed learn. Each of the key areas in The Hub is designed with - Mackenzie Little wins gold their talents in exhibitions of their major works and Textiles students highly specific functions. The Hub also provides lounge areas where staff and students can sit and explore - Pymble wins at Mountain Bike Championships have dazzled their audiences with their creative and brilliant designs on The service desk provides students and staff with an the technology. Technology experts are available to mentor students and guide - Mollie Dive Hockey Invitational the catwalk. Drama students have received standing ovations for their inviting area where they are quickly and effectively served them in the effective and innovative uses of technology. It is a place to ignite Beyond Pymble 16 -17 performances in the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts and our by the IT team. There are a number of waiting tables for informal conversations about learning opportunities. - China tour an enlightening experience Music students also received standing ovations on their 2013 Music - Legal Studies in action peak periods, which provide hands on opportunities with ‘The Think Tank’, a feature of The Hub, is a purpose built room designed to - Standing ovations for Pymble students in Europe Tour in Europe as well as impressing the audience at the inaugural the latest devices available on the market providing an encourage collaborative thinking, ideas and innovation. Writable walls, interactive - Pymble students on national television Harpsichord Festival Concert in the War Memorial Chapel. opportunity for students to form opinions and provide projectors and flexible furniture make this a fun learning space designed to Boarding 18 On the sports field Pymble students have excelled in diving, cross feedback on the future of technology at the College. encourage big picture thinking. - Mexican night country, hockey and mountain biking. Our Middle School and Junior - Angus Cup musical competition School students impressed school audiences across Australia when - Goodlet girls win Greensense competition they presented the official launch of the 2013 MS Readathon via MS Readathon launched at Pymble Ladies’ College - Boarders remembered on Jersey Day webcast. College News 19 The 2013 MS Readathon, the nation’s longest running and Our girls are passionate about their community service programs and - Pymble community events most respected reading-based fundraiser, was officially fundraising projects. Students are encouraged to ‘give back’ and Parent Groups 20-21 launched in a webcast from Pymble on Monday 22 July. enthusiastically support initiatives to help improve the lives of others. The webcast was streamed to 116 schools across Australia Development at Pymble 22 The College community came together for the Biggest Morning Tea in - Annual Giving 2013 May in support of the Cancer Council. It was a wonderful morning and and featured presentations by renowned children’s author Ex-Students’ Union Inc. 23-27 a fine example of our generous community spirit. Pymble students Oliver Pommavanh and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Australia Looking back 28 have embraced their community service programs becoming involved Ambassador Stephen Papadopoulos. - Pymble in the 1960s in numerous activities including knitting squares for the Wrap with Love “Pymble Ladies’ College has supported MS Australia for the program, teaching English to Sudanese refugees and supporting Hamlin past two years so it is fitting to launch such an important Fistula Ethiopia (Australia) as a part of their service learning project. Front cover: Textiles on Parade fashion show. and enjoyable event as the MS Readathon at Pymble,” said Editor: Ms Kim Williams. I am sure you will be inspired as you read the many stories of College Principal, Mrs Vicki Waters. Editorial Committee: Mrs Vicki Waters, Mr Grant Birse and outstanding efforts and achievements of our students in this issue of MS is a chronic and often debilitating disease which affects Mrs Joy England. the Pymbulletin. more than 23,000 Australians. The MS Readathon, now in Student Editorial Team: Alexandra Baker, Jean Chang, Vicki L Waters its 34th year has raised more than $30 million in support of Madeleine Clark, Ashley Duncan, Devna Luthra, Ananya Sinha, PRINCIPAL MS programs including physiotherapy, education and lifestyle Stephanie Stuart and Grace Zhang. programs, specialist MS nurses, respite care and research towards finding a cure for this mystery illness. MS Australia Pymbulletin is published in May, October and December by the 2013 Pymble Country Luncheons Marketing and Communications Department, Pymble Ladies’ Pymble ex-students, current, past, future and prospective families hopes to raise $500,000 from the 2013 MS Readathon. are welcome to attend the Pymble Country Luncheons in College, Avon Road, Pymble, 2073. Pymble Junior School and Middle School students Moree on Thursday 17 October and in Quirindi on The deadline for the next issue is Friday 25 October. Please send participated in the webcast which featured a presentation by Saturday 19 October. your information to the Marketing and Communications Department the students to raise awareness of the MS Readathon. or email Ms Kim Williams at [email protected]. For Please contact Rebecca Pearce, Community Marketing on general enquiries please contact the College on +61 2 9855 7799. 02 9497 7853 or [email protected] for further details. 2 3 preparatory school Year 2 girls study curious Kindergarten looks at the role of zoos creatures Kindergarten girls have been investigating life at a zoo. The girls are curriculum. They reinforce with each girl that their thoughts and Year 2 girls commenced Term 2 with the Science topic becoming more aware of the important role of zoos in preserving opinions are respected and valued. Curious Creatures. Girls investigated the many types wildlife and providing opportunities to study animals in habitats The girls participated in many hands on experiences in of ‘mini-beasts’ that live around the world including similar to their natural environments. An excursion to Taronga Mathematics. The focus for the term was on developing an insects, arachnids, molluscs and annelids. Exploration Zoo was a wonderful springboard for the girls as they were able understanding of the early concepts of multiplication and time. of the distinctive body parts, life cycles and living