From Mr Coppin
The URSTRONG Language of Friendship program took centre stage at the Kambala URSTRONG Parent and Child webinar held on Wednesday evening, 25 March 2026. This engaging session brought families together to explore how children can better understand and navigate their social worlds. Designed to empower children with the skills and confidence to build healthy relationships, the program introduces a clear, relatable framework for friendship. At its core is a shared “language” that helps children identify positive behaviours, set boundaries, and communicate effectively—tools that are essential for emotional wellbeing and long-term social success.
During the webinar, families were introduced to the program’s child-friendly concepts that make complex social dynamics easier to understand. Terms like “Friendship Fire” (representing strong, positive friendships) and “Mean-on-Purpose” versus “Mistake” help children distinguish between intentional and unintentional behaviour. This clarity reduces confusion and social tension, giving children practical strategies to resolve conflicts independently. By reinforcing these ideas in both school and home settings, the session highlighted how a consistent approach can strengthen communication and mutual understanding.
The Kambala community response to the webinar reflected the value of a shared language around friendship. Parents gained insight into how they can support their child in real-life situations, while children were left with practical tools they can immediately apply in their friendships. The program’s proactive focus goes beyond addressing challenges—it builds essential life skills such as empathy, resilience, and self-awareness. These are not only important for the school years but are foundational for healthy relationships into the future.
As social interactions continue to evolve, particularly in an increasingly digital world, the importance of initiatives like URSTRONG was a key takeaway from the evening. The webinar underscored how equipping children and their families with a common framework bridges the gap between knowing what respectful behaviour looks like and putting it into practice. The result is a stronger, more connected community where children feel confident to express themselves, manage friendships positively, and contribute to a culture of kindness and respect.
We thank Mrs Sweeney for kindly organising this community opportunity.
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.
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.
From Ms Danvers
Dear Junior School Families,
I am writing to you today to announce that Mr Stuart Coppin, Deputy Principal - Head of Junior School, will be accessing his Long Service Leave entitlement for refreshment and rejuvenation for the first seven weeks of Term 2, 2026. He is due to return to Kambala on Tuesday 9 June 2026.
Mr Coppin is taking leave after more than a decade of dedicated service as Head of Junior School and twenty-six years in the field of Education.
During Mr Coppin’s absence, Mrs Sheridan Sweeney will be our Acting Head of Junior School. Sheridan is a highly experienced educator, having taught in the Junior School since 2021 and serving as Deputy Head of Junior School in 2025. Mrs Sweeney looks forward to maintaining the strong pastoral and community relationships she has established.
Mrs Sweeney will be supported by Ky-Lee Murphy (Director of Curriculum) and Alex Panagopoulos (Massie Coordinator) to ensure a seamless transition. Joining the leadership team for Term 2 is Miss Anya Josan, our newly appointed Pastoral Care Coordinator for Years 3 to 6 in the EJ Watt Building. Miss Josan, who holds a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) from the University of Melbourne, brings valuable experience from her previous leadership roles at Radford College and Newington Wyvern. She will balance this new responsibility alongside her Year 4 teaching duties, mirroring the dual role successfully held by Mrs Panagopoulos in Massie House.
We thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to welcoming Mr Coppin back after the King’s Birthday Long Weekend on Tuesday 9 June 2026.
Warm wishes,
Jane Danvers
Principal
How do We Teach Mathematics? Webinar Recording Link
Dear Parents and Carers of Year 2 - Year 6 Students
If you missed the "How Do We Teach Mathematics" Webinar this morning, you can watch it HERE.
Easter End of Term 1 Church Services at St Michael's Vaucluse - Thursday 2 April 2026
We look forward to our Easter Kindergarten - Year 6 End of Term Church Services on the last day of Term 1 on Thursday 2 April 2026 at St Michael's Church.
Students are to attend on this day in their full Summer dress uniform.
Easter Services at St Michael's Vaucluse
Years 4-6 Term 2 Thursday Track Club
Kambala will be again offering Thursday Track Club to Junior School in Term 2 2026. This will be held at ES Marks on Thursday 4-5.15pm. 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.
Please note: There is a fee of $70.00 for Thursday track club and once numbers are finalised the link for payment will be available.
We will need a minimum of eight students for Thursday Track Club to proceed.
Please complete the google form here by 30 March so we can book appropriate transportation.
Lunchtime Concert Series
The Music Department Lunchtime Concert series is starting up again! Parents are invited to join us on Fridays at 12.50pm in the Performance Theatre for a wonderful musical break in the middle of the day.
If students are interested in performing at one of these concerts please send an email to peter_sagar@kambala.nsw.edu.au or come and speak with Mr Sagar.
Junior School Parent Teacher (Zoom) Interviews - Monday 30 March - Thursday 2 April 2026
Parent-Teacher interviews with Class and Specialist teachers will be held during Week 10 of Term 1 (Monday 30 March- Thursday 2 April). Specialist teachers available for Term 1 interviews are:
Year 2- PE and Art
Year 3- PE, Art and Music
Year 4- Music, French, Art
Year 5- Science, French, Drama
Year 6- Science, PE, Drama
Interview times with your daughter’s teachers will be offered both before and after school hours. Most parents find 10 minutes sufficient time for interviews with their daughter’s Class teacher, plus 5 minutes with Specialist teachers and if their daughter’s Maths teacher is not their class teacher (Years 3-6). If you feel that more time is necessary, please contact your daughter’s teacher to arrange a convenient time and date for a longer meeting. You may request interviews at other times throughout the year by contacting teachers directly.
How will these interviews work?
We will continue to utilise Zoom for our interviews as feedback indicates this works best for our busy parents and carers. Parent-Teacher interview bookings can be made using our online booking system at https://kambala.meettheteacher.com/ Once you click on the link you will be directed to the online booking system to schedule your appointment/s. The booking portal will close at 4.00pm on Thursday 26 March 2026. A Parent-Teacher Booking Appointment Guide has been created to assist parents with their bookings. Please click here to access this Guide. Once you have made an appointment time, confirmation of your appointment time will appear on your screen. A confirmation will also be sent to your parent email address. If you need to amend your booking time, please do so via your confirmation email.
On the day of your Appointment
You can access Zoom links for all teachers on your daughter’s Sundial page. Teachers will be alerted that you are in the virtual waiting room and will admit parents to begin the appointment at the scheduled time. Every effort to keep to the schedule will be made and we encourage parents to access the Sundial class pages ahead of the scheduled meeting times to support timeliness. Please note if you are running significantly late, you will need to reschedule your appointment as teachers must follow their pre booked interview times with other families. We kindly ask that you respect our teachers’ time and notify them in advance via email if you are unable to make your scheduled appointment time.
IT support
Should you experience technical difficulties during the event, please access ICT support by clicking on the ICT Support tile on the Sundial homepage. While we are doing all we can to prepare for a smooth experience, we appreciate your flexibility should there be any disruptions.
Winter Uniform - Term 2 - Outfitters
Please note that when students return in Term 2 they will be required to wear their Winter uniform.
Our Outfitters store operates on Monday, Wednesday and Friday 7.30am - 3.45pm until the end of Term.
The last working day of Term 1 is Wednesday 1 April.
Prior to the start of Term 2, Outfitters will be open on Monday 20 April and Tuesday 21 April 2026 (being the first day of Term 2) and then as usual Wednesday and Friday. No appointments are necessary.
We will revert to our usual opening days of Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Week 2 of Term 2.
Junior School Events
Please see the next page for exciting Junior School Events and Dates for your Calendars!