From Mr Coppin
Finding Voice in Character, Finding Voice in Self
On Thursday 28 August at 6.00pm, our Year 4 students will take to the stage in the Junior School Multi-Purpose Room for their production of Twisted Tales. This performance is more than a creative reimagining of well-loved stories; it is a celebration of students discovering their voices through character. In stepping into the shoes of another, our girls experiment with tone, gesture, and expression—safe in the playfulness of drama—before gradually learning to speak with authenticity as themselves.
It was at this time last year, having returned from my study leave, where as part of my IPSHA Study Grant I was afforded the opportunity to present at the Oxford University Round Table on how schools (specifically Kambala) foster in students the ability to communicate with impact. This focus aligns with our philosophy of dispositional learning: not merely acquiring knowledge, but cultivating the confidence, empathy, and adaptability that enable students to use their voices with influence and purpose. Drama, in this sense, is not an “extra”, but a vital learning pathway where communication skills are stretched and deepened.
As our Year 4's perform Twisted Tales, we see this philosophy in action. The imaginative retelling of stories may appear whimsical, but beneath it lies a profound growth of self. In embodying a character, our students begin to discover the courage to stand, to speak, and to connect—skills that will serve them far beyond the stage. Their performance is a joyful reminder that finding voice in character is often the first step to finding voice in life. My heartfelt thanks to our Year 4 Teaching Team and Drama Specialist Ms Anna Derrig for setting our students up for success.
Kindergarten Swimming Lessons in PE begin Monday 8 September (Term 3)
Dear Kindergarten Parents,
It is with great excitement that I write to let you know that your daughter will commence swimming lessons during one of her PE classes each week from Monday 8 September.
KS - Mondays Period 3
KU - Wednesdays Period 4
These swimming lessons are part of the PE Curriculum and are aimed at assisting your daughter to build confidence and remain safe in an aquatic environment. Your daughter will be taught in small groups of approximately 6 – 8 students and each group will have their own teacher. Working in smaller groups allows the teacher to tailor lesson activities to the needs of the group.
* Important details to ensure your daughter is prepared for her first swimming lessons:
On the days when your daughter has her swimming lesson she should wear her PE uniform with her Kambala swimming costume underneath or bring it in her sports bag. All girls will also be required to bring a towel, swimming cap, goggles and thongs to wear to and from the pool and underwear for the end of the lesson.
Kambala swimmers are now available at Outfitters however, if your daughter has another full piece swimsuit, she will be able to wear this but please be aware that she will require a Kambala swimming costume for the start of 2026.
The Classroom teacher and/or PE teacher will walk the students to and from the swimming pool. After the lesson, the students will have a quick shower on the pool deck before being walked back to their classroom where they will change into their sports uniform under the supervision of the classroom teacher.
If your daughter has had little experience in swimming, we would suggest additional swimming lessons at this early stage. The Tivoli Swimming School (at the Kambala Pool) offers a variety of programs to assist students develop their confidence and safety in the water. For further details contact:
Tivoliswimming@kambala.nsw.edu.au
We look forward to supporting your daughter’s development. Please email robyn_mcmillan@kambala.nsw.edu.au if you have further questions.
Junior School Semester 2 Parent Teacher Zoom Interviews - Monday 15 - Thursday 18 September 2025
Parent-Teacher interviews with Class and Specialist teachers will be held during Week 9 of Term 3 (Monday 15 September - Thursday 18 September). Specialist teachers available for interviews are:
Year 2- Art, PE, Science
Year 3- Drama, Music, Science
Year 4- Drama, PE, Science
Year 5- Art, French, Mandarin, Music
Year 6- Art, French, Music, PE
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. 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 be open from 4pm on Thursday 21 August and will close at 4pm on Thursday 4 September.
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.
Year 4 Adopt a Koala
Dear Year 4 Parents and Carers,
This term, Year 4 are learning about how the environment sustains the lives of people and other living things. They have been inspired to make a difference to endangered animals and will be ‘adopting' a koala through the World Wildlife Fund.
The girls have been asked for a voluntary donation of $5 to be brought to school by next Friday 5 September, 2025. The money raised will help wildlife carers and medical facilities care for sick, injured and vulnerable koalas as well as help to create safe wildlife habitat corridors. This experience will also enhance the girls' learning about endangered species for the rest of the term.