From Mr Coppin

Finding Voice in Character, Finding Voice in Self

On Thursday 27 August at 6.00pm, our Year 4 students will take to the stage in the Junior School Multi-Purpose Room for their production of Cinderella. This performance is more than a creative reimagining of a well-loved story; 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 two years ago, 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 Cinderella, 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 our Drama Specialist Ms Anna Derrig for setting our students up for success.

Spotlight on Public Speaking: The Ingrid Holden Cup Competition (IHC)

This term, our Year 2-6 students are stepping into the spotlight as they have embarked on their journey for the Ingrid Holden Cup public speaking competition. Designed to help girls learn to 'communicate for impact,' this initiative combines speech writing and public speaking to sharpen persuasive communication skills learned in the classroom. In honour of Mrs Ingrid Holden, a former Deputy Head of Junior School at Kambala, we will be holding our annual Ingrid Holden Cup public speaking finals in Term 4. 

The Preparation

The girls’ are learning effective oral presentation skills, such as posture, eye contact, gestures and the 5Ps for voice: projection, pace, pausing, pitch and pronunciation. When presenting their speeches, they will be assessed on their Manner, Matter and Method. 

What to Expect

• In the Classroom: As part of their English writing curriculum across Terms 3 and 4, students will draft two persuasive speeches based on topics provided by their class teachers. Students in Years 3-6 will also create an impromptu speech, with just 20 minutes to prepare once given the topic. 
• The Pitch: The girls are encouraged to apply a range of persuasive devices to convince the audience of their opinion on the topic. 
• Practice at Home: Rehearsals can be completed as part of homework, though speech content should remain unchanged once finalised in class.
• Classroom Presentations: All students will present their speeches in front of their own class. 

The Finals

Once all speeches have been presented, class teachers will select two finalists from each class- these will be announced in Term 4. Year 2 students will present one of their prepared speeches during a Massie Assembly in Term 4. Years 3-6 students will present an impromptu speech based on a topic given to them on the morning of the final. Parents of the finalists will be invited to attend and celebrate their achievements.

Encourage your daughter to embrace the process, express her ideas with confidence, and enjoy finding her voice!

Curriculum Overviews and Homework, Kindergarten to Year 6

Parents can now view a detailed Curriculum Overview for each subject on their daughter’s Sundial page. This feature provides clear visibility into the specific learning areas scheduled for each term. You can also check your daughter’s weekly homework tasks to ensure she is completing set tasks.

To explore what your daughter is studying and locate her weekly Homework tasks, simply log into Sundial and navigate to the following tiles:

Preparation - Year 6 Semester 2 Parent Teacher Zoom Interviews - Monday 15  Thursday 17 September 2026

Junior School Parent-Teacher Interviews 

Parent-Teacher interviews with Class and Specialist teachers will be held during Week 9 of Term 3 (Monday 14 September - Thursday 17 September). Specialist teachers available for interviews are:

Year 2 - French, Music, Science 

Year 3 - Drama, French, Science

Year 4 - Drama, PE, Science

Year 5 - Mandarin, Music, PE

Year 6 - French, Mandarin, Music

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 20 August and will close at 4pm on Thursday 10 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. 

Kambala Academic Transition Day: A Glimpse into Year 7

As part of our ongoing transition program, our Year 6 students will participate in the Kambala Academic Transition Day on Tuesday, 1 September. This immersive experience gives students a true taste of daily life in Year 7.

Purpose of the Day

Designed around recent student feedback, this day aims to:

• Build Confidence & Curiosity: Help Year 6 students feel prepared, empowered, and eager for Senior School.
• Inspire Future Growth: Highlight the unique learning and personal growth opportunities available within our girls' education framework.
• Foster Readiness: Cultivate dispositional and reflective thinking needed for Senior School success.

Program Highlights

• Morning Session - Becoming a Senior School learner

  Students will gather to explore core learner attributes—focusing on self-awareness, self-authorship, and self-reflection. Key discussion topics include:

  • Who am I now, and who am I becoming?
  • Navigating the exciting challenges of Senior School
  • Understanding dispositional learning in a girls' school environment

• Recess & Lunch - Senior School communal spaces

  Students will share break times with their Year 9 Sisters, building natural connections and offering a supportive space for informal conversation.

• Middle Session - Learning Opportunities in Senior School

  An interactive look into key Senior School learning pathways, including:

  • Global Mindedness
  • Future Problem Solving
  • STEM

What Students Need to Bring

• Excursion bag
• Recess, lunch and a refillable water bottle
• Small pencil case
• Fully charged laptop

We are excited to offer this rich and supportive experience, designed to help our Year 6 students feel more confident and prepared for the journey ahead. This meaningful connection allows our students to explore the routines, subjects and social spaces of Year 7 in a safe, supportive environment.

This program beautifully complements the language taster sessions held last week, and we look forward to it alongside our Parent/Daughter House Afternoon Teas with the Principal later this term (dates below and invitations to follow), and the Year 7 2027 Test and Connect Day on Friday 30 October.

• Year 6 Gurney House Afternoon Tea with Ms Danvers (parents and students) - Tuesday 25 August 2026
• Year 6 Hawthorne House Afternoon Tea with Ms Danvers (parents and students) - Wednesday 2 September 2026
• Year 6 Roseby House Afternoon Tea with Ms Danvers (parents and students) - Thursday 3 September 2026
• Year 6 Wentworth House Afternoon Tea with Ms Danvers (parents and students) - Monday 7 September 2026

Hampshire House Elevator Upgrade

Kambala is investing in some important upgrades to better serve our School community.

Over the past months, we have been upgrading the elevators at both of our elevator sites, replacing each with a brand new installation. The Tivoli Lawn elevator has now been completed and is back in service.

• Hampshire House Elevator - elevator out of service from 24 August to 19 October 2026

Junior School Events

Please see the next page for exciting Junior School Events and Dates for your Calendars!