Junior School 

The Power of Sisterhood in a Preparation to Year 12 Girls' School

Sisterhood at a Prep to Year 12 girls’ school offers students a unique and powerful support system. Through shared experiences, whether in academics, sports, or creative pursuits, students forge strong, lasting relationships that transcend the classroom. This sisterhood allows them to navigate challenges, celebrate achievements, and build each other up in a nurturing and affirming environment. Such connections are essential in young women's lives as they experience critical developmental stages, creating bonds that often last well beyond graduation.

In an all-girls' setting, sisterhood fosters an environment where students feel safe to express themselves authentically. They can take risks, ask questions, and pursue their interests without fear of judgement. With the support of their peers, students feel empowered to step into leadership roles and try new things, enhancing their confidence and self-efficacy. This mutual encouragement cultivates resilience, as students know they have a network of friends and mentors to lean on, no matter the situation.

Beyond personal growth, sisterhood instils a sense of responsibility and empathy among students. Older girls naturally become role models and mentors for the younger students, sharing guidance and offering perspective. In this way, sisterhood becomes a cycle of support and learning, reinforcing community values like respect, compassion, and integrity. Such experiences lay a foundation for young women to become compassionate leaders and active contributors to their communities, carrying forward the spirit of sisterhood wherever they go.

In Term 3 we launched a Year 1 to Year 11 Initiative entitled Sisterhood Circles.  In across school House-based family style groupings the students from Year 1 to Year 11 meet to build connection and belonging.  These groupings will typically take place twice a term. We look forward to the girls engaging in Sisterhood circles this Monday 4 November 2024. 

Mr Stuart Coppin

Deputy Principal - Head of Junior School

Ingrid Holden Cup

In honour of Mrs Ingrid Holden, a former Deputy Head of Junior School at Kambala, we hold our Ingrid Holden Cup public speaking finals this term. Our Years 3 - 6 students have been developing their persuasive writing skills in class by writing both prepared and impromptu speeches on a variety of topics. Their public speaking skills have been enhanced by considering posture, eye contact, gestures and the5Ps for voice: projection, pace, pausing, pitch and pronunciation. 

The girls have been assessed on their Manner, Matter and Method when presenting two prepared and one impromptu speech to their class. Two finalists from each class have been selected to speak at the Final, where they will be given an impromptu topic and only 20 minutes to prepare a speech, then perform in front of the audience. 

We were in awe of our Year 5 and 6 finalists as they presented their impromptu speech at the Stage 3 Final on Tuesday. The Stage 2 Final will take place this Friday 8 November.

Parents of the finalists have been invited to attend the Final. We are very proud of all of our girls for their impressive speeches, demonstrating how they can communicate with purpose.

Junior String Quartet

The Junior String Quartet has had many performance opportunities this year. It has been a great experience for the girls to show what they have been working on.

In Term 3, we played at the In Conversation with Principal Jane Danvers event. The girls performed what they had been working on the past year while the parents entered the room and mingled before the talk. 

In Week 1 of Term 4, the quartet performed at the Kambala Old Girl’s Vintage Lunch. This was a lovely experience that all the members enjoyed, as well as the Kambala Old Girls. Many of them came up to us and started a conversation. The following week we performed at another In Conversation with Principal Jane Danvers event. A busy and enjoyable start to the Term for the JSQ!

Jolin Zhou

Junior Music Officer and Junior String Quartet member

Spell-A-Thon

We are excited to announce that girls in the Junior School will be participating in a Spell-a-thon this year; the benefits of which are enormous.  The Spell-a-thon helps the girls to better remember and embed their  learning in spelling, builds spelling skills and raises money for students less fortunate than ourselves. The funds raised will go to St Jude’s School in Tanzania.  Each year Gemma Sisia, the founder of the school, comes to Kambala to share her inspirational story with our students.

“For those of you who don’t know, Gemma Sisia is an Australian philanthropist and educator who founded The School of St Jude in Arusha, Tanzania, in 2002. The school was established to provide free, high-quality education to some of the country's poorest and brightest children. With a vision to break the cycle of poverty through education, St Jude's has grown from just a few students to over 1,800, offering opportunities in academics, leadership, and community service. Gemma’s work has inspired global support, with St Jude's becoming a beacon of hope for underprivileged students across Tanzania.”  To date Kambala has contributed more than $110,000 to this worthy initiative.

Each student, from Kindergarten to Year 6, has been given a spelling list appropriate for their year level and level of ability. Massie girls have 50 words in total. Students in Years 3-6 have 100 words. The girls will be tested on their spelling list over the course of Week 6 (commencing Monday 18 November 2024). Testing will take place during Spelling lessons. Girls’ results in the Spell-a-thon will contribute to their House Points. The House with the best overall results will be rewarded with a fun movie lunch at the end of Term 4.

 Our girls are asked to find friends or relatives who will be sponsors and record their information and donation on the sponsor sheet. Sponsors can either nominate an amount ‘per correct word’ or pledge a donation. You will find the sponsorship form on the back of the note, which was sent home with the girls last week. 

An online copy is HERE.

Sponsorship money will be due by the end of Week 7 of Term 4 (Friday 29 November 2024). Please return funds raised to your daughter’s class teacher.