From the Deputy Principal - Head of Junior School

From Mr Coppin

Building a Passion for Continuous Improvement and Learning 

With a proud 138-year history, our school continues to place learning—genuine, curious, lifelong learning—at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment to continuous improvement is not just an institutional goal; it is a living practice that informs the way we teach, lead, and care for every student. One way this comes to life is through the ongoing collaboration between our academic and pastoral teams, using meaningful data and research-informed strategies to support each girl in her individual growth.

 

This process, which we call Academic Enhancement Planning, draws upon deep data analysis, professional dialogue, and, increasingly, the powerful tools and thinking routines developed by Harvard Project Zero. These routines—such as See-Think-Wonder, What Makes You Say That?, and Think-Puzzle-Explore—are not simply add-ons to lessons; they are integral frameworks that help students slow down, reflect, and build connections in their learning. They allow teachers to hear students’ thinking, uncover misconceptions, and empower girls to become more aware of how they learn best.

 

In no subject is this approach more transformative than in Mathematics.

 

For many students (and often for adults!), mathematics has traditionally been viewed as a subject of right or wrong answers, memorisation, and procedures. We challenge that notion every day. At our school, mathematics is a language of exploration, logic, creativity, and problem-solving—and we see it as our particular responsibility, as a school for girls, to ensure that every student sees herself as capable, confident, and joyful in her mathematical thinking.

 

By using Project Zero thinking routines in our mathematics classrooms, we provide structures that support deeper inquiry and reasoning. For example, I Used to Think… Now I Think… helps students reflect on how their understanding evolves during a lesson, encouraging a growth mindset. Claim-Support-Question fosters mathematical argumentation, inviting students to justify their reasoning and pose further questions. These routines invite all students into the conversation—not just the ones who “know the answer”—and create a safe space to take intellectual risks.

 

Mathematics becomes not just about “doing sums” but about making sense of patterns, tackling challenges collaboratively, and developing confidence in one’s own thinking. Through these practices, we nurture a love of learning that transcends the classroom and prepares your daughters to be critical thinkers in a complex world.

 

Our vision for mathematics education is broad and ambitious. We want each girl to know that mathematics is for her—that it is creative, exciting, and connected to the world around her. And as we continue our journey of academic enhancement, we are proud to draw on research-based practices, such as those from Harvard Project Zero, to ensure that this vision becomes a reality.

2025 Junior School Interhouse Athletics Carnival - Friday 30 May 2025 - ES Marks Athletics Field, Kensington

The Junior School Interhouse Athletics Carnival will be held on Friday 30 May 2025 for students in Years 3–6 at ES Marks Athletics Field, located at the corner of Anzac Parade and Boronia Street, Kensington (enter via Boronia Street not Alison Road).

 

Travel to the Venue

  • All students must arrive at school by 8:00am for an 8:15am sharp bus departure.
  • Carline will operate from 7:45am to 8:10am to ensure all girls are present on Tivoli Lawn for roll call before boarding the buses.

Travel Home

 

Parents may take their own daughter(s) home directly from the carnival at its conclusion (PLEASE COMPLETE GOOGLE FORM BELOW). 

Alternatively, girls will return to school by bus, arriving by approximately 2:30pm, in time for regular carline and Extra-Curricular Activities.

 

Key Details

  • Carnival Start Time: 9:00am
  • Uniform: Sports uniform, House Polo shirt, sports cap, and sunscreen
  • What to Bring: Morning tea, lunch, and a water bottle. Please pack sufficient food and water for the day (NO CANTEEN LUNCHES ON THIS DAY).
  • Medication:
    • Any student requiring an EpiPen, asthma puffer, or other medication must bring it on the day.
    • Medication should be clearly labelled, in a zip-lock bag, with dosage and timing instructions.
  • Participation: All students will participate in a minimum of four events.
  • House Points: Attendance and participation contribute to House points.
  • Supervision:
    • All students must remain for the full duration of the carnival.
    • Students may only go home with their own parent/guardian (not with other families).
    • No changes to home arrangements will be permitted on the day.
  • Spectators: Parents and carers are warmly invited to attend and are encouraged to wear House colours.
    • Please sit behind the students in House areas and refrain from inviting your daughter to sit with you, as she will be supporting her House.
  • Parking: No parking is available in the ES Marks carpark. On-street parking is available on Boronia Street.
  • Health Guidelines: Please do not attend the carnival if you are feeling unwell. Students who are unwell should remain at home, in line with school health guidelines.

IMPORTANT NOTES

  • There will be no Year 3 Touch Training after the carnival on Friday 30 May.
  • All other Extra-Curricular Activities will proceed as usual.
  • A coffee cart (for parents only) will be available, offering drinks and limited food. Students are not permitted to visit the coffee cart.
  • No dogs are allowed at the ES Marks Athletics Field – this is a dog-free venue.

Actions Required

  • If you intend to take your daughter home from the carnival, please  CLICK HEREto notify us.
  • Please complete the permission form you have been sent earlier today for your daughter’s attendance.

We are looking forward to a wonderful day of competition, community spirit, and fun!

Term 3, 2025 Sports Choice for Years 4 - 6

Please be advised that you can find the letter containing all the 2025 Term 3 Years 4-6 Sports information here.

 

Please read the document carefully as it contains the options for Term 3, the directions for trials and training, and the link to the Google registration form to be completed at the bottom of the letter.

 

The cut-off date for registrations is Wednesday 28 May. Late registrations will be placed on a waitlist, and a spot in the sport is not guaranteed.

 

The options for Term 3 2025 are:

 

- IPSHA Touch Football

- Badminton Clinics (Saturdays Only)

 

For skiing and snowboarding, please email kath_sambell@kambala.nsw.edu.au if you require any information regarding the competitions for students in years K-12 during the last week of the July School Holidays.

Year 6 Drama Production - Goldie Locks On! - Alexander Hall - Thursday 19 June 2025 at 6.00pm

We invite our Year 6 families to reserve their tickets to this year's exciting production. This is the ultimate Fairy Tale Mash-Up gone wrong!

 

Please CLICK HERE to reserve tickets.