From Mr Coppin
The Anxious Generation - Professor Jonathan Haidt
A year has passed since Social Psychologist and Professor Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation was released. Professor Haidt argues that society has effectively “rewired childhood” with the widespread introduction of smartphones. He highlights that “the years from 2010 to 2015 marked the definitive end of the play-based childhood,” citing data showing that the first generation to experience puberty with smartphones in hand became “more anxious and depressed.”
Given these concerning findings, I wanted to share Haidt’s insights from his article Go Outside and Play! 20 Rules for Raising Kids in the Age of the iPhone. His recommendations strongly align with our commitment to maintaining a smartphone- and smartwatch-free environment in the Junior School. We believe in fostering real-world interactions, play-based learning, and a childhood free from digital distractions. As we approach our well deserved holidays, I thought these tips were powerful in assisting our families to have a digital reset.
ySafe Resources
As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, students in Years 4 - 6 had the opportunity to learn responsible digital citizenship with ySafe. To support our families in navigating the challenges of the digital age, we highly recommend the ySafe Cyber Safety resources which can be found at The Kambala Online Safety Hub.
Easter Church Services at St Michael's Vaucluse - Thursday 10 April, 2025
We will honour our Anglican Heritage by having two Easter Church Services at St Michaels at Vaucluse on Thursday 10 April 2025 - the last day of Term 1.
Kindergarten to Year 3 will walk to St Michael's after lunch on Thursday. This will be followed by the Year 4 to Year 6 Easter Service thereafter.
Girls will need to wear their summer uniform and panama hat. Blazers may be required if the weather is Autumnal.
Easter 2025 at South Head Anglican Parish
Junior School Mother's Day Breakfast - Thursday 8 May, 2025 - Tivoli Forecourt - 7.30-8.30am
We warmly invite our Preparation to Year 6 Mothers to the Junior School Mother's Day Breakfast.
** PLEASE NOTE - all students attending the breakfast are to wear full Winter Uniform including blazer and panama hat. If Sport/PE is timetabled on that day, please pack sports uniforms in Kambala Sports bag to change into.
Please CLICK HERE to RSVP.
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 - Outfitters will not be open during the school holidays.
The last working day of Term 1 is Wednesday 9 April. Outfitters will re-open Week 1 of Term 2 on Monday 28 April, Tuesday 29 April (first day students return) 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.
Staffing News
Our Junior School French Specialist, Kelly Hanson has made the courageous decision - after close to twelve months at Kambala - to relocate to the United Kingdom to be with her adult children from the beginning of Term 2, 2025. We warmly thank Madame Hanson for the last 12 months of service to Kambala and her commitment to developing in our students a love of French learning from the earliest of ages.
Monique Shippen will join us from the beginning of Term 2 2025. Monique holds a Bachelor of Education (French Major) from the University of New England, Master of Teaching from University of New South Wales and Bachelor of Arts from Macquarie University.