From Mrs Sweeney

The Power of Friendship

In her pioneering work, In a Different Voice, Carol Gilligan provided a powerful lens to understand the central role of relationships in girls’ development. Gilligan’s research highlights how females are guided by an “ethic of care,” where empathy, connection, and responsibility for others shape how they think, make decisions, and engage with the world. Within this framework, relationships are not peripheral, but foundational - playing a critical role in how girls develop their sense of self, build confidence, and interpret their experiences. Friendships, in particular, offer a vital space where girls feel seen, heard, and valued, supporting both emotional wellbeing and identity formation. Equally, Gilligan emphasises that when these connections are disrupted, it can impact a girl’s voice, confidence, and sense of identity, reinforcing the importance of environments that prioritise trust, inclusion, and meaningful connection.

Gilligan's research exists within a substantial body of literature that reinforces our understanding of girls’ friendships as a vital support system. Strong peer relationships provide emotional security, reduce feelings of isolation, and contribute to the development of positive self-esteem. Within these relationships, girls are able to navigate challenges collaboratively, share in meaningful experiences, and celebrate achievements. Importantly, friendships also serve as a context for developing critical life skills, including empathy, communication, and conflict resolution.

Grounded in research, Kambala’s Junior School Day of Friendship creates intentional opportunities for students to experience connection, strengthen relationships, and practise the social and emotional skills that underpin a strong sense of belonging. On Tuesday 28 April, Junior School students will participate in friendship workshops, consolidating their learning from our Term 1 Personal Development lessons. During the workshops, students explore the language of friendship and learn how to communicate clearly, resolve challenges respectfully, and build trust with others.

At lunchtime, the focus shifts to fostering connection. Students will join together in house groups for a picnic lunch, creating intentional space for informal interactions and shared experiences across the year groups. These moments facilitate micro-connections; small, yet significant interactions that contribute to a student’s sense of being known, valued, and included by their peers. After eating time, the girls will participate in games led by our Year 6 Leaders and the Year 6 Wellbeing Committee. These structured yet inclusive opportunities for play support students to engage with one another, fostering trust, cooperation, and a shared sense of enjoyment.

The Junior School Day of Friendship reflects our commitment to cultivating a connected, supportive, and inclusive community. Feeling accepted, valued, and included has a profound impact on a young person’s capacity to engage, take positive risks, and develop a secure sense of identity. Research indicates that when students experience belonging, they demonstrate increased motivation to learn, stronger engagement with school, and greater resilience in the face of challenges. By prioritising opportunities for meaningful interaction, we are equipping our girls with the social and emotional capabilities essential for lifelong wellbeing.

ANZAC Assembly at Kambala

On Friday 24 April 2026, the ANZAC Assembly will be held at Kambala, with students from Kindergarten to Year 6 attending.

This is a formal occasion where students are expected to demonstrate respect and wear their full school uniform including blazer and panama hat.

Students in Year 3 - Year 6 who have PE on Friday may bring their sports uniform in their bag and change before their PE lesson.

Students in Kindergarten - Year 2 students may pack their sneakers in their bag and will wear their winter uniform and sneakers for PE.

Please reach out to your daughter’s classroom teacher if you have any questions.

Thank you for your understanding and co-operation,

URSTRONG Workshops Term 2 2026

On Tuesday 28 April, we are delighted to welcome Tyson Greenwood, Director of URSTRONG Schools, who will be working with our students to build strong friendship skills and introduce the program’s unique “language of friendship.” Grounded in research showing that relationships are central to wellbeing and learning, this visit will empower students with practical tools to navigate friendships positively and confidently. When friendships are nurtured effectively within a school community, students are better supported to flourish both socially and academically.

We are looking forward to our URSTRONG Day of Friendship on Tuesday 28th April. It is going to be a wonderful day dedicated to helping our children build kind, healthy, and resilient friendships.

To make the learning even more fun, we would love for our Kindergarten to Year 4 students to bring along a small soft toy or "fuzzy friend" for the day.

These special guests will act as "learning buddies," helping the children practise how to be a great friend and how to kindly work through any little disagreements.

To help us keep the focus on our friends, we kindly ask that the toys are:

Small and cuddly (easy to pop into a backpack).
Quiet (please leave any toys that make noise or electronic sounds at home to rest).
Clearly labelled with your child's name.

We can’t wait to see all the fuzzy friends and enjoy a lovely day together.

You are also invited to continue the conversation at home with a complimentary URSTRONG Families membership, providing access to a range of activities, videos, and articles to further support your child in developing positive friendship skills.

Before School Care

I am writing to let you know that our Before School Care provider OSHClub has advised us that, unfortunately, due to a current low level of enrolments, maintaining the service beyond the end of Term 2, 2026, is currently not viable.

As a result, Before School Care will continue throughout Term 2, but will regrettably not be offered from the start of Term 3 unless enrolments increase to an average of three or more students each day. We encourage families who rely on this service to ensure their children are enrolled so we can continue to provide this support.

Junior School Events

Please see the next page for exciting Junior School Events and Dates for your Calendars!