From Mr Coppin
World Teachers' Day - Friday 25 October, 2024
Celebrating our Teachers and Staff at Kambala “World Teachers Day” Friday 25 October 2024. A wonderful element of my position is interviewing the close 80 new students and parents who are joining the Junior School for the new school year. These are students usually joining us in Preparation, Year 3 and Year 5 (with a sprinkling of the other year levels along the way). There is a “just right” balance of new to Kambala families mixed with second and third generation families. In meeting with parents who are alumni, they always speak to the power of the transformative teachers who they themselves had at Kambala, some of whom are still teaching this very moment in the Halls of Massie and EJ Watt.
This experience always prompts me to think of our dedicated Kambala teaching and support staff and their commitment to our school and to your daughters. Teachers who are keen to continually develop through partnerships with evidence driven institutions that engender best practice such as the Certificate of Gifted Education at UNSW/GERRIC, Project Zero at Harvard or RULER linked to Yale University or YouCubed from Stanford University.
Whilst there can be bumps along the way, the girls on “my” carline and gate duties bound into school, excited for each school day which is so wonderful to witness. New South Wales will celebrate World Teachers’ Day on Friday 25 October, 2024, and there could not be a better year to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of our Kambala teachers.
SPELL-A-THON
We are excited to announce that girls in the Junior School will be participating in a Spell-a-thon this year; the benefits of which are enormous. The Spell-a-thon helps the girls to better remember and embed their learning in spelling, builds spelling skills and raises money for students less fortunate than ourselves. The funds raised will go to St Jude’s School in Tanzania. Each year Gemma Sisia, the founder of the school, comes to Kambala to share her inspirational story with our students.
“For those of you who don’t know, Gemma Sisia is an Australian philanthropist and educator who founded The School of St Jude in Arusha, Tanzania, in 2002. The school was established to provide free, high-quality education to some of the country's poorest and brightest children. With a vision to break the cycle of poverty through education, St Jude's has grown from just a few students to over 1,800, offering opportunities in academics, leadership, and community service. Gemma’s work has inspired global support, with St Jude's becoming a beacon of hope for underprivileged students across Tanzania.” To date Kambala has contributed more than $110,000 to this worthy initiative.
Next week (Week 3), each student, from Kindergarten to Year 6, will be given a spelling list appropriate for their year level and level of ability. Massie girls will be given 50 words in total. Students in Years 3-6 will have 100 words. The girls will then be tested on their spelling list over the course of Week 6 (commencing Monday 18 November 2024). Testing will take place during Spelling lessons. Girls’ results in the Spell-a-thon will contribute to their House Points. The House with the best overall results will be rewarded with a fun movie lunch at the end of Term 4.
Our girls are asked to find friends or relatives who will be sponsors and record their information and donation on the sponsor sheet. Sponsors can either nominate an amount ‘per correct word’ or pledge a donation. You will find the sponsorship form on the back of the note, which will be sent home with the girls next week.
An online copy is HERE.
Sponsorship money will be due by the end of Week 7 of Term 4 (Friday 29 November 2024). Please return funds raised to your daughter’s class teacher.
Happy spelling!
Ingrid Holden Cup
In honour of Mrs Ingrid Holden, a former Deputy Head of Junior School at Kambala,
we will hold our Ingrid Holden Cup public speaking finals this term. Our Years
3 - 6 students have been developing their persuasive writing skills in class by writing
both prepared and impromptu speeches on a variety of topics. Their public speaking
skills have been enhanced by considering posture, eye contact, gestures and the
5Ps for voice: projection, pace, pausing, pitch and pronunciation.
The girls have been assessed on their Manner, Matter and Method when presenting two prepared and one impromptu speech to their class. Two finalists from each class have been selected to speak at the Final, where they will be given an impromptu topic and only 20 minutes to prepare a speech, then perform in front of the audience.
The Finals will take place on the following dates:
- Stage 3: Tuesday 29 October
- Stage 2: Friday 8 November
Parents of the finalists have been invited to attend the Final. We are very proud of all of our girls for their impressive speeches, demonstrating how they can communicate with purpose.
Orientations for Massie, Year 3 and Year 5, 2025
Massie House Orientation for new Preparation to Year 2, 2025 Students - Wednesday 6 November, 2024
On Wednesday morning 6 November 2024 we welcome the 40 new Preparation starters for 2025 to Massie House. We will also welcome the sprinkling of new students who will be joining us in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 for 2025.
Students on this day will also engage in a one up day and have a mini taste of their life in their new year groups for 2025.
Year 2 into Year 3, 2025 Orientation - Tuesday 5 November, 2024
We welcome our new girls to Kambala for Year 3, 2025 for their orientation. In the morning existing Year 2 and new Year 2 into Year 3 students will sit educational assessments conducted by Academic Assessment Services. This gives the school valuable insight into the learning profiles of existing and new students. On this morning girls will be placed into two flower named class groups which DO NOT reflect their 2025 classes in any manner.
The girls will sit these assessments in classrooms in the EJ Watt building. The best preparation for these assessments will be a good night’s sleep, healthy breakfast and an on time school arrival. In the afternoon the girls will enjoy some taster lessons in the EJ Watt building to further aid the transition.
Year 4 into Year 5, 2025 Orientation- Thursday 7 November, 2024
On Thursday 7 November 2024 we welcome our 25 new Year 5 (2025) girls to Kambala for their orientation. In the morning existing Year 4 and our new Year 5 2025 students will sit educational assessments conducted by Academic Assessment Services. On this morning girls will be placed into three flower named class groups which DO NOT reflect their 2025 classes in any manner. This gives the school valuable insight into the learning profiles of existing and new students. The girls will sit these assessments in classrooms in the EJ Watt building. The best preparation for these assessments will be a good night’s sleep, healthy breakfast and an on time school arrival. In the afternoon the new and “old” girls will enjoy taster lessons.
Test and Quest Day Information for Current Year 6 Parents and Students - Friday 1 November, 2024
We are very much looking forward to your daughter joining Year 7 in 2025.
In preparation for her commencement, all Year 6 students will participate in our Test and Quest Day on Friday 1 November 2024 at Kambala.
Test and Quest is a compulsory annual event for all students entering Year 7. It is an informative day, filled with fun orientation activities, designed to bring our current students and new students together, in preparation for their senior years.
In addition to the activities, there is also an assessment component conducted in the morning. This testing covers English, Mathematics and General Ability categories. Please reassure your daughter this is not an entrance exam; every Year 7 starter (current and new) sits these tests, and they are designed to assist with appropriate staffing levels for 2025.
Please note the following times and details for Friday 01 November:
8.15am Students and Parents/Carers
Students and parents are asked to enter the school at either the Tivoli Avenue Gate 1 or the New South Head Road Gate 4. Current Kambala students will be stationed at the gates for your arrival to assist with directions. There is no car parking available onsite.
Students are to arrive in their Kambala sports uniform and bring a sports hat, drink bottle, a pencil and 2 black or blue pens in a small bag.
8.30am Students
Students will be directed to the Alexander Hall for the testing component of the day.
8.30am - 9.30 am Parents/Carers
Parents are invited to the Tivoli forecourt for refreshments, followed by a presentation by key staff.
Tours of the senior school will be available at the conclusion of the presentation.
10.30am Students
Break for morning tea, which will be provided.
12.30pm Students
Break for lunch, which will be provided – click here to advise any dietary requirements or medical conditions (those requirements will also be applicable for morning tea)
1.30pm Students
After lunch the girls will take part in the “quest” component of the day, which includes entertaining and bonding activities, touring of the senior school and meeting senior school teaching staff. These activities are conducted in House groups.
3.20pm Students and Parents/Carers
Test and Quest Day concludes.
Girls may be collected as usual from the Tivoli carline or proceed to their usual extra-curricular afternoon activities.
If your daughter is unable to attend the Test & Quest Day, or if you have any questions, please contact juniorstudentservices@kambala.nsw.edu.au
Kind regards
Stuart Coppin
Deputy Principal – Head of Junior School