Junior School
Easter at Kambala
We honour our Anglican heritage but also celebrate the diversity of faiths within our community. In the Christian Faith, Lent is here, the start of Lent is commemorated with Ash Wednesday for 2026 took place on Wednesday 18 February 2026.
Lent is a period of self-reflection and self-discovery in the 40 days lead up to Easter. I am often surrounded by people who are giving up all manner of little things or fasting as a reminder. I have seen fasting from soft drinks, chocolate, sugar in tea and coffee, fast food, social media or even parking in our school neighbours’ driveways in Tivoli Carline (not that anyone does that here at Kambala). Lent is often seen as a time of giving up, but it is wonderful to flip this thinking to contemplate taking up habits that give us vitality and life. I have come across this wonderful provocation which I love to share each year in the lead up to Easter using the analogy of fast and feast:
Fast on complaining
Feast on appreciating
Fast on discontent
Feast on gratitude
Fast on negative self-talk
Feast on being kind to yourself
Fast on judging others
Feast on what unites us together
Fast on facts that depress
Feast on truths that uplift
Fast from discouragement
Feast on hope
Fast on self-concern
Feast on compassion for others
Fast on idle gossip
Feast on purposeful silence
- William Arthur Ward
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.
Stuart Coppin
Deputy Principal - Head of Junior School
Year 3 Camp - Royal National Park - 19 - 20 March 2026
We are delighted to share this photo of our Year 3 Campers taken after their lunch.
Year 4 Milson Island Camp
We are delighted to share some highlights and learning moments from the recent Year 4 Camp at Milson Island. The camp was a fantastic opportunity for students to spend time together outside the classroom, strengthening friendships while developing teamwork and confidence in a new environment.
Over the three days, the students took part in a range of activities designed to encourage collaboration and problem-solving. Working together across the grade, they supported one another as they tackled challenges such as orienteering, raft building and participating in Indigenous games. These experiences required the girls to communicate, cooperate and make decisions as a team, and it was wonderful to see both new and existing friendships flourish.
Camp also provided many opportunities for students to step beyond their comfort zones - many of these included bugs! Trying unfamiliar activities can sometimes feel daunting, but the girls approached each experience with enthusiasm and determination. It was particularly rewarding to see them encourage one another, celebrating each other's success and taking pride in giving something new a go.
Here is a small snapshot of some of the students’ reflections on their camp experience.
Some of my friends felt homesick overnight and I felt proud that I was able to support them and make them feel better. I said to them, “the quicker we go to sleep, the quicker morning comes!” Elodie McMillan-Bush 4N
I felt welcomed and supported at camp when all my group was helping each other out on the canoes. We needed to work together as a team to achieve our goal. Ella Harper, 4N
I loved the damper cook because it was fun to cook our own on the fire. It was delicious to have the warm damper with the sweet syrup. Natasha Young 4N
I thought camp was really fun, especially when we were making damper. That was the best part because we got to eat our creations. I also really loved canoeing because I collaborated with others, and it was fun because not everyone had done it before. We worked as a team to get around the buoy and back! Clementine Sweeting 4U
I enjoyed camp because when we were making the damper it was kind of challenging. We had to work but after the work we could eat it! And I liked raft building because you had to work as a team, and it was fun tying the ropes. Zlata Podoba, 4U
Raft making was my favourite activity because we collaborated with new people as well as our friends. As a team we cheered each other on and listened to all of our ideas. Our raft build was successful but halfway through the race it flipped! Siena Egleton 4S
As a new student to Kambala, camp helped me gain some more friends and learn more about the girls in my class. I loved canoeing, bush walking and making damper. On the bush walk I liked finding mushrooms that were extraordinary colours. Keira Janes 4S
Helen Maynard
Year 4
Year 6 Excursion to Canberra - Curriculum in Context - 9 - 11 March 2026
Earlier this term, Year 6 travelled to Canberra to continue their studies of Federation, Australia’s system of government and the democratic voting process. The excursion provided the girls with a valuable opportunity to see the nation’s capital and deepen their understanding of how Australia is governed.
During their visit to Parliament House, the girls observed the House of Representatives and gained insight into the important work that takes place there. They also took part in an engaging role-play activity where they simulated the process of passing a bill through parliament, bringing their classroom learning about law-making to life.
Year 6 also toured Government House, the official residence of the Governor-General. Although the Governor-General was not in residence at the time, preparations were underway for an upcoming visit from the Danish royal family. A naval officer guided the tour and showed the girls the grand dining room, where the table had already been formally set in anticipation of the state dinner.
At the Museum of Australian Democracy, the girls explored the history of Australia’s government and learned about the contributions and achievements of many influential politicians, including women who have played a significant role in shaping the nation. Applying their knowledge of the preferential voting system, the girls even conducted their own election to determine the favourite fruit of the Year 6 cohort.
A visit to the Australian War Memorial provided a moving and meaningful experience. The girls deepened their understanding of the sacrifices made by a selection of Australian women during the World Wars. They visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Wall of Remembrance, taking time to reflect on the bravery and dedication of those who have served.
To round out their time in Canberra, the girls enjoyed a range of hands-on learning experiences. At the Australian Institute of Sport, they discovered the science and training behind Australia’s elite athletes, while at Questacon they explored interactive exhibits that sparked curiosity and excitement about science and technology.
The excursion was a memorable and enriching experience for Year 6, bringing their studies to life while creating lasting memories with their peers.
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.
How Do We Teach Mathematics? Webinar for Year 2 - Year 6 Parents - Thursday 26 March 2026, 9.00 - 10.00am
Split Arrays, Area Model, Levelling Strategy…what do these mean?
The way Maths is taught these days is very different to how we were taught ‘back in the good old days.’ You will find out about the NSW curriculum and evidence-based pedagogical practices to develop your daughter’s reasoning skills and flexible thinking strategies.
Find out how we teach the girls to:
• explore and connect mathematical concepts
• choose and apply mathematical techniques to solve problems
• communicate their thinking and reasoning
Date: Thursday 26 March 2026
Time: 9am-10am
Webinar: https://kambala.zoom.us/s/81023881643
RSVP: Not required
If you are unable to attend this webinar, it will be recorded and posted on Sundial.
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 be open from 4.00pm on Thursday 12 March 2026 and 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 grade 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.