Junior School
Celebrating Reading at Kambala
We are halfway through the term, and what better way to celebrate than with a Book Character Parade! I was delighted to see the range in literary selections, from the classics to more modern stories, it was wonderful to celebrate the magic of reading and its power in igniting the imagination of young (and old!).
We thank our wonderful Year 6 Parents for setting up a Bake Sale to complement our Book Week morning tea, and we also thank all of our families who contributed. Goodies went very quickly, and we were so grateful for the funds raised for our Junior School. Our Parents & Carers work often ‘behind the scenes’ to pull such initiatives off seamlessly, we are very fortunate to have such giving members of our community. Thank you!
Mr Coppin has landed safely in Sydney, returning from his study sabbatical this week. He brings to us stories of his visits to other high achieving girls' schools in the United Kingdom, and our teachers look forward to hearing about all that he has discovered during his courses at Oxford University. Welcome home Mr Coppin!
Girls as agents of their learning: Action Research in our Junior School
Our Director of Curriculum and passionate teacher of Mathematics, Ky-Lee Murphy, has been busy implementing the data collection stage of her action research project. Ky-Lee’s fellowship with the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools is a part of ‘GARC’ - the Global Action Research Collaborative.
Ky-Lee’s research is based on the work of Peter Liljedahl (creator of Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics), as well as the research undertaken by Harvard University’s Project Zero on making thinking visible. She has been trialling the use of vertical whiteboards to make thinking visible and to stimulate curiosity for learning.
Here are some reflections from the students in her class based on their experience using the vertical whiteboards:
“I like working at the whiteboards because I can express my learning with different people. I can learn new strategies that are helpful and share my knowledge”
Pippa D Sze
“I can draw strategies on the board and erase whenever I want to”
Cathy Lu
“I like working with a partner and not looking down to do my problems and working out. There’s nothing I don’t like about the whiteboards!”
Chloe Kollias
“My thinking and explaining were way easier and it helped me learn”
Lexi Ogane
“I prefer thinking when standing at the whiteboards because you get to share ideas. I understand challenges much better”
Emily Sun
With the benefits of contextually rich research, Ky-Lee’s experience and findings will be valuable to all educators at Kambala.
Read more about the professional learning of our staff on the KITE page!
Ms Samantha Gooch
Previous Acting Head of Junior School
Junior School Book Parade: Reading is Magic
Our Junior School Book Parade is the highlight of the library year, and Kambala families turned out with enthusiasm and joy to celebrate all things bookish and reading last Friday.
As the girls entered through the Tivoli Gates there were excited squeals and cheers as book characters were recognised and friends were located. Groups of characters from the same book found each other and outfits were compared and marvelled at.
Princesses were regal, Hogwarts students were magical, Dr Seuss friends were wild, Disney characters were happy and there were many, many individual characters having fun with their friends.
A huge thank you for the thought and care put into this event the costumes were marvellous, the morning tea picnic was delicious and celebrating books on the fair hill of flowers was truly magical.
Ms Kimberley Pericles
JS Library
Welcome to Cherl Orsini
A magical Kambala welcome was extended to children’s book illustrator Cheryl Orsini during Book Week. Cheryl has illustrated over 50 children’s books, and her illustrations resonate with children due to the whimsical nature and detailing of small things.
Cheryl spoke with girls in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 3 - taking them through her work processes, answering questions, and sharing how she draws inspiration from the ordinary small things in everyday life.
Kindergarten and Year 1 girls added to and played with a caravan mural to make up stories and look for magic in everyday objects. Cheryl finished her presentation with a draw-along, showing and explaining how to draw a magical flying person, her tips and tricks sure to inspire our little artists to try new things and to look for magic all around them.
Ms Kimberley Pericles
JS Library
Year 4 Students Adopt a Koala: A Lesson in Wildlife Protection
Year 4 students have taken a significant step in wildlife conservation by adopting a koala through the WWF. This initiative, part of our studies on sustainability and Australian wildlife, allows us to engage with the real-world challenges faced by koalas, who are now listed as endangered along Australia’s east coast.
Koalas have been hit hard by deadly diseases, catastrophic wildfires, floods, and rampant deforestation. Without stronger nature laws and more places to call home, these iconic animals are on a slippery slope towards extinction by 2050 in eastern Australia.
By symbolically adopting a koala, we are not just learning about these challenges— we are actively contributing to efforts to protect these beloved creatures. The project has sparked discussions and a small fundraiser, all focused on supporting our adopted koala.
As we are becoming increasingly passionate about protecting wildlife - this adoption is more than a class project—it’s a hands-on way to help turn the tide for koalas and inspire us to be environmental advocates.
Ms Anna Goodman
Year 4 Teacher
Year 4's Exciting Day at Field of Mars
Year 4 students embarked on an exciting adventure to the Field of Mars, transforming into environmentalists and geologists for the day. Armed with field diaries, pencils, and curious minds, they eagerly set out to explore the natural wonders of this beautiful reserve.
As environmentalists, our first task was to observe the diverse flora around us. As we wandered through the bushland, we carefully examined the leaves, trees, and shrubs that made up the rich ecosystem. Field diaries in hand, we recorded our observations, noting the different shapes, sizes, and colours of the leaves. We sketched detailed illustrations, capturing the unique patterns of each aspect of our chosen leaf. It was amazing to see how many different types of leaves existed just within a few steps!
We switched gears and took on the role of geologists. This area is not only rich in plant and bird life but also has fascinating geological features. We explored beautiful rocky outcrops and creek beds, searching for interesting rocks and minerals. Using magnifying glasses, we could see the vibrant colours and features of the sandstone.
Next, we turned our attention to the delicate native flowers scattered throughout the reserve. With great care, we created etchings of these flowers, to capture their intricate details. These etchings became treasured keepsakes, serving as a beautiful reminder of the natural beauty we encountered.
As the day came to an end, we returned to school with our field diaries full of observations, sketches, and notes. The trip to Field of Mars wasn't just a fun day out—it was a meaningful learning experience that connected directly to what we've been studying in class. By becoming environmentalists and geologists for the day, we gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world around us.
Ms Helen Maynard
Year 4 Teacher
Junior School Parent Teacher (ZOOM) Interviews
Parent-Teacher interviews with Class and Specialist teachers will be held (over Zoom) during Week 8 of Term 3 (Monday 9 September - Thursday 12 September). Specialist teachers available for Term 3 interviews are:
Year 2- Science, PE, Art
Year 3- Science, PE, Drama
Year 4- Music, Science, Drama
Year 5- Music, French, Mandarin, Art
Year 6- Music, French, PE, Art
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 Maths teachers. Year 5 and 6 parents only need to book an extra Maths interview if your daughter’s Maths teacher is not her Class teacher. 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. Please ensure to type yours and your daughter’s names as they appear in EDUMATE and Kambala’s school records. The booking portal will be open from 4pm on Thursday 22 August and will close at 4pm on Thursday 29 August. 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 class 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.
2024 Kambala IPSHA Gymnastics (Years 3 - 6) Team Trials
Please see the following letter containing information regarding the Kambala Gymnastics Team Trials on the 31st August from 3pm-5pm at EGA (7-11 Allen Street Waterloo, 2017)
The payment link and permission both need to be filled out by 28th August.
Kambala Personalised Drink Bottles
Help us reduce waste and order a Kambala Thermo Drink Bottle by 9am Friday, 30 August 2024.
Act fast—these exclusive bottles are available only once a year.
Go to the banner on Sundial to order a personalised Kambala drink bottle for $35.00.
Please complete a separate ORDER FORM for each sibling.
Ready for collection beginning Term 4.
