From the Deputy Principal - Head of Junior School

From Mr Coppin

Mr Coppin's Book Club

Dr. Billy Garvey’s Ten Things I Wish You Knew About Your Child’s Mental Health offers a compassionate and practical guide to understanding children’s emotional well-being. Drawing on years of experience as a paediatrician, Garvey distills complex ideas into ten clear principles that every parent, educator, and caregiver can engage with.

 

What makes this book especially powerful is its reminder that parenting is not about perfection, but about presence, connection, and kindness—both towards children and towards oneself. Garvey acknowledges the very real pressures parents face and emphasizes that supporting a child’s mental health begins with ensuring that parents are cared for, too. His writing is empathetic, reassuring, and free of judgement, making it a resource that feels as encouraging as it is informative.

 

A standout theme is the importance of communication and connection. Garvey reminds us that children thrive when they feel seen, heard, and valued, and that much of their behaviour is a window into their emotions rather than something to “fix.” Alongside this, he highlights the necessity of self-care for parents: carving out time for rest, seeking support when needed, and recognising that looking after your own mental health is a vital part of looking after your child.

 

Here are five of Garvey’s key takeaways:

 

  • Early Recognition is Crucial: Spotting signs such as anxiety, mood changes, or social withdrawal early allows for timely support and better outcomes.
  • Mental Health = Physical Health: Emotional well-being deserves the same attention as physical health in a child’s development.
  • Connection and Communication are Key: Listening, validating feelings, and creating open dialogue helps children feel safe and understood.
  • Behaviour is Communication: What looks like “difficult” behaviour is often a child’s way of expressing unmet needs or stress.
  • Parents’ Mental Health Matters Too: Children flourish when parents are well. Garvey urges parents to be gentle with themselves, take breaks, and seek help without guilt—reminding us that caring for yourself is not selfish, but essential.

 

This book is both a guide and a reassurance: an invitation for parents to nurture their child’s mental health while remembering to extend the same care and compassion to themselves.

Year 6 Parent Morning Tea at Junior School Open Day - Friday 12 September 2025 - 10.30 - 10.50am - Music Centre Foyer

Junior School Parent Teacher ZOOM Interviews - Monday 15 - Thursday 18 September 2025

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. 

Test and Quest Day Information for Current Year 6 Parents and Students - Friday 31 October, 2025

We are very much looking forward to your daughter joining Year 7 in 2026.

In preparation for her commencement, all Year 6 students will participate in our Test and Quest Day on Friday 31 October 2025 at Kambala.

 

Test and Quest is a compulsory annual event for all students entering Year 7. It is an informative day, filled with fun orientation activities, designed to bring our current students and new students together, in preparation for their senior years. 

 

In addition to the activities, there is also an assessment component conducted in the morning. This testing covers English, Mathematics and General Ability categories. Please reassure your daughter this is not an entrance exam; every Year 7 starter (current and new) sits these tests, and they are designed to assist with appropriate staffing levels for 2026.

 

Please note the following times and details for Friday 31 October 2025:

 

8.15am Students and Parents/Carers

Students and parents are asked to enter the school at either the Tivoli Avenue Gate 1 or the New South Head Road Gate 4. Current Kambala students will be stationed at the gates for your arrival to assist with directions to Tivoli Courtyard. 

There is no car parking available onsite.

 

Students are to arrive in their Kambala sports uniform and bring a sports hat, drink bottle, a pencil and 2 black or blue pens in a small bag. 

 

8.30am Students 

Students will be directed to the Alexander Hall for the testing component of the day.

 

8.30am - 9.30 am Parents/Carers

Parents are invited to the Tivoli forecourt for refreshments, followed by a presentation by key staff. 

 

Tours of the senior school will be available at the conclusion of the presentation.

 

10.30am Students 

Break for morning tea, which will be provided.

 

12.30pm Students 

Break for lunch, which will be provided - CLICK HERE to advise any dietary requirements or medical conditions (those requirements will also be applicable for morning tea)

 

1.30pm Students 

After lunch the girls will take part in the “quest” component of the day, which includes entertaining and bonding activities, touring of the senior school and meeting senior school teaching staff. These activities are conducted in House groups. 

 

3.20pm Students and Parents/Carers 

Test and Quest Day concludes. 

Girls may be collected as usual from the Tivoli carline or proceed to their usual extra-curricular afternoon activities. 

 

If your daughter is unable to attend the Test & Quest Day, or if you have any questions, please contact juniorstudentservices@kambala.nsw.edu.au

 

Further onboarding information - January 2026

Your daughter will engage with her new classmates for an induction session on Thursday 29 January 2026. Classes commence for all students on Friday 30 January 2026.

Detailed information regarding the commencement of the 2026 school year will be published on Sundial in term 4.

Year 3 Sport Registration for Term 4, 2025 - Soccer

Please click here to access all the information in regards to the Term 4 Sports Choice for Students in Year 3. 

 

Read the letter carefully as it contains information regarding the key dates for next term.

In Term 4, the Year 3 girls will play in a Soccer competition alongside Ascham and SCEGGS Darlinghurst. All games will be held on the Moore Park Synthetic Field, located on Lang Road Moore Park. 

 

Please note that registrations are due by Monday 15 September.

End of Term 3 Church Services at St Michael's, Vaucluse - Thursday 25 September, 2025

We appreciate our diversity and take the opportunity to honour our Anglican Heritage.

Girls in Kindergarten - Year 3 will walk up to St Michael’s Church on Thursday 25 September 2025 at 1.30pm to attend end of term church service and our Year 4 - Year 6 girls will walk up at 2.15pm to attend their end of term service.

 

As a mark of respect, girls are to wear full Winter Uniform on the day including Blazers and Panama Hats. If students have a timetabled sports or PE lessons on Thursday5 September, they are to bring their sports uniforms in their Kambala Sports bags. 

End of Term 3 - Commencement of Term 4, 2025

Please note Term 3 concludes at the end of the school day on Thursday 25 September and Term 4 commences on Tuesday 14 October, 2025. 

Term 4, 2025 - Summer Uniform - Kambala Outfitters

Outfitters will be closed for the school holidays from 3.45pm Wednesday 24 September until 7.30am Wednesday 15 October 2025. 

Outfitters are typically open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during Term time. 

 

Please note that students return in Term 4 in summer uniform.  We therefore ask that you take the time to check the size of your daughter's summer uniform and arrange to place an order prior to the end of term (Thursday 25 September).