From Mr Coppin

Device and AI Use in the Junior School

In the Junior School, our approach to technology is intentional, purposeful and guided by research into how children learn best. Students do not use Generative AI for any learning tasks. Instead, they are explicitly taught to generate and refine their own ideas, organise and structure responses, develop arguments using evidence, and draw conclusions through reasoning. These foundational skills are developed predominantly through face-to-face discussion, concrete learning experiences, pen-and-paper tasks and opportunities to think independently. This approach reflects research highlighting the importance of active engagement, discussion, handwriting and cognitively demanding learning experiences in the primary years.

Students in Prep to Year 4 have access to iPads, while students in Years 5 and 6 have access to laptops. These devices remain at school and are used only during supervised learning. Technology is not used for homework, which is set through a range of textbooks and other traditional resources. In the classroom, digital devices are used selectively to enhance learning and reinforce skills that have already been explicitly taught using concrete resources. Educational apps and subscriptions are carefully selected and evaluated by classroom teachers, the Director of Curriculum and our IT team.

Screen time is deliberately minimised across the Junior School. Our students learn through rich interactions with their teachers and peers, including small-group and whole-class discussions, practical activities and handwritten responses. iPads are stored in charging stations and taken out only for a specific learning task before being returned. Similarly, laptops in Years 5 and 6 are used for particular educational purposes, while students continue to record most of their thinking using pen and paper. This balanced approach recognises that technology can support learning when used purposefully, but should complement rather than replace high-quality teaching, social interaction and hands-on experiences.

As students progress through Years 3-6, they also develop age-appropriate digital and word-processing skills in accordance with the NSW English syllabus. These skills are taught in meaningful contexts across English, HSIE and Science, rather than as isolated technology lessons. Our goal is to ensure students develop both strong foundational learning habits and the digital capabilities they will need in the future. By keeping technology purposeful, supervised and developmentally appropriate, the Junior School provides students with opportunities to benefit from digital tools while protecting time for the discussion, reasoning, handwriting, collaboration and independent thinking that underpin effective learning.

House Celebration Day – Friday 18 September 2026

We are looking forward to celebrating the spirit and connection on Friday 18 September.

Girls are invited to wear their House shirt with sports shorts and may add House-themed dress-up items over the top to show their House pride.

During the day, girls will come together to share lunch with their House on Tivoli Lawn, strengthening the special bonds that form when students of different ages connect, celebrate and belong as part of a House community.

At Assembly, we will also hear the results of the Inter-House Netball and Touch Competitions and celebrate the winning Houses. We look forward to a colourful and joyful day filled with House spirit!

Preparation and Kindergarten Drop-Off Wednesday 23 September 2026

Dear Preparation and Kindergarten Parents,

On Wednesday 23 September 2026, we kindly ask that Preparation and Kindergarten students be dropped off at Bayview Hill Road Carline between 8.25am and 8.45am. Ms Wynne and Mrs Zadelis will be there to welcome the girls and assist with their arrival.

This adjustment has been made to ensure a calm and settled start for our younger students, as the Year 12 Guard of Honour will be taking place at the Tivoli Avenue gates that morning.

Kindergarten Parents please note that girls need to wear full winter uniform (dress).

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Kind regards,

Stuart Coppin

Deputy Principal - Head of Junior School

Spotlight on Public Speaking: The Ingrid Holden Cup Competition (IHC)

This term, our Year 2-6 students are stepping into the spotlight as they have embarked on their journey for the Ingrid Holden Cup public speaking competition. Designed to help girls learn to 'communicate for impact,' this initiative combines speech writing and public speaking to sharpen persuasive communication skills learned in the classroom. In honour of Mrs Ingrid Holden, a former Deputy Head of Junior School at Kambala, we will be holding our annual Ingrid Holden Cup public speaking finals in Term 4.

The Preparation

The girls’ are learning effective oral presentation skills, such as posture, eye contact, gestures and the 5Ps for voice: projection, pace, pausing, pitch and pronunciation. When presenting their speeches, they will be assessed on their Manner, Matter and Method.

What to Expect

In the Classroom: As part of their English writing curriculum across Terms 3 and 4, students will draft two persuasive speeches based on topics provided by their class teachers. Students in Years 3-6 will also create an impromptu speech, with just 20 minutes to prepare once given the topic.
The Pitch: The girls are encouraged to apply a range of persuasive devices to convince the audience of their opinion on the topic.
Practice at Home: Rehearsals can be completed as part of homework, though speech content should remain unchanged once finalised in class.
Classroom Presentations: All students will present their speeches in front of their own class.

The Finals

Once all speeches have been presented, class teachers will select two finalists from each class- these will be announced in Term 4. Year 2 students will present one of their prepared speeches during a Massie Assembly in Term 4. Years 3-6 students will present an impromptu speech based on a topic given to them on the morning of the final. Parents of the finalists will be invited to attend and celebrate their achievements.

Encourage your daughter to embrace the process, express her ideas with confidence, and enjoy finding her voice!

Term 4 Homework Club - Mondays to Thursdays - Junior School Library until 4.00pm

Library Homework Club provides a supportive, structured environment where girls can complete set tasks, revise coursework, and develop effective study habits with supervised support. Running from Monday to Thursday throughout the term, it is a fantastic way for girls to stay on top of their workload and build confidence in their learning.

Please complete the online registration form as soon as possible to secure your daughter’s spot for Term 4.

Curriculum Overviews and Homework, Kindergarten to Year 6

Parents can now view a detailed Curriculum Overview for each subject on their daughter’s Sundial page. This feature provides clear visibility into the specific learning areas scheduled for each term. You can also check your daughter’s weekly homework tasks to ensure she is completing set tasks.

To explore what your daughter is studying and locate her weekly Homework tasks, simply log into Sundial and navigate to the following tiles:

Hampshire House Elevator Upgrade

Kambala is investing in some important upgrades to better serve our School community.

Over the past months, we have been upgrading the elevators at both of our elevator sites, replacing each with a brand new installation. The Tivoli Lawn elevator has now been completed and is back in service.

Hampshire House Elevator - elevator out of service from 24 August to 19 October 2026

End of Term 3 Church Services at St Michael's, Vaucluse - Friday 25 September, 2026

We appreciate our diversity and take the opportunity to honour our Anglican Heritage.

Girls in Kindergarten - Year 3 will walk up to St Michael’s Church on Friday 25 September 2026 at 1.30pm to attend end of term church service and our Year 4 - Year 6 girls will walk up at 2.15pm to attend their end of term service.

As a mark of respect, girls are to wear full Winter Uniform on the day including Blazers and Panama Hats. If students have a timetabled sports or PE lessons on Friday 25 September, they are to bring their sports uniforms in their Kambala Sports bags.

End of Term 3 - Commencement of Term 4, 2026

Please note Term 3 concludes at the end of the school day on Friday 25 September and Term 4 commences on Tuesday 13 October, 2026.

Term 4, 2026 - Summer Uniform - Kambala Outfitters

Outfitters will be closed for the school holidays from 3.45pm Friday 25 September until 7.30am Monday 12 October 2026.

Outfitters are typically open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during Term time.

Please note that students return in Term 4 in summer uniform. We therefore ask that you take the time to check the size of your daughter's summer uniform and arrange to place an order prior to the end of term (Friday 25 September).

Years 4 - 6 Term 4 Thursday Track Club

Kambala will again be offering Thursday Track Club to Years 4-6 in Term 4 2026.

Thursday Track Club sessions are aimed at girls who want to increase their speed for sport and participate in sprint events. There will be a focus on developing the girls relay skills, starts etc.

The Track Club Squad will train at ES Marks 4-5.15pm and will be bused to and from the venue. Parents may collect their daughters from ES Marks at 5.15pm if they prefer or can be picked up from Kambala at 5:45pm.

Please complete the google form here by Friday 25 September so appropriate transportation can be booked.

Junior School Events

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