From Mr Coppin
How Mathematics Learning Has Evolved in the Primary Classroom
Teaching and learning in the modern primary classroom look remarkably different today than in previous generations. Rather than focusing solely on memorisation and repetitive practice, contemporary mathematics education emphasises deep understanding, logical reasoning and practical application. This shift has been reflected in the new NSW Mathematics Syllabus released for implementation in schools in 2022.
The new syllabus calls for students to develop mathematical fluency by exploring concepts, connecting ideas, and selecting the most effective techniques to solve complex problems. Key shifts in our approach include:
- Process Over Solution: Understanding the strategies and thought processes behind a problem is just as vital as arriving at the correct answer.
- Reasoning and Communication: Students are encouraged to think like mathematicians by clearly explaining, justifying, and communicating their logic.
- Discovery and Risk-Taking: True learning occurs through new discoveries rather than repeating known facts. Applying knowledge to unfamiliar scenarios requires persistence, resilience, and a willingness to embrace challenges.
Grounded in Evidence and Best Practice
Our curriculum design and instructional strategies are directly informed by world-class educational research and leading institutions. We draw from the research and practices of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), the Stanford Graduate School of Education, the NRICH team at Cambridge University, and the Australian Maths Trust.
To ensure we maintain the highest standard of delivery, we also collaborate closely with NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority) and academic experts from the Centre for Educational Measurement and Assessment (CEMA) at the University of Sydney.
Through these rigorous partnerships and research-backed frameworks, we cultivate the skills, confidence, and resilience our girls need to become lifelong problem-solvers.
To see the practical side of how we teach Mathematics, we encourage you to watch this video where Ms Ky-Lee Murphy, Director of Curriculum, talks through the sequential stages of learning, as well as how we enrich our learners to think deeply and use reasoning skills, rather than just learning the facts.
Parent Teacher Interviews with Mr Andrew Story - Year 5 and 6 Parents - 24 August - 28 August 2026
Our Junior School Parent Teacher Interviews for P-6 parents will take place over Zoom in Week 9 of this term (14 September - 17 September, 2026).
However, with his planned leave, Mr Story will be conducting interviews during Week 6 of Term 3 commencing on Monday 24 August. We stagger interviews with Specialist teachers across the year levels for Terms 1 and 3.
Mr Story conducted interviews with parents of Years 2-4 students in Term 1, thus in Term 3 he is available for interviews with Years 5 and 6 parents.
You can access the online booking system at this link https://kambala.meettheteacher.com/
The booking portal is now open and will close on Thursday 20 August 2026 at 4.00pm. You can access Mr Story’s Zoom link for your booked interview time on your daughter’s Sundial page.
Junior School Tennis Championships
The annual Junior School Tennis Championships will be held at Parkland Sports Centre Tennis courts, Moore Park on Wednesday 9 September. We ask that only those girls in Years 4-6 who are currently playing tennis nominate for the Championships.
Information can be found here
Please complete the google form here by Monday 24 August.
2026 Term 4 Years 4-6 Sports Choice
You can find the letter containing all the 2026 Term 4 Years 4-6 Sports information here.
Please read the document carefully as it contains the options for Term 4, the directions for trials and training, and the link to the Google registration form to be completed at the bottom of the letter. Please complete it by no later than 4.00pm Wednesday 26 August 2026.
The options for Term 4 2026 are:
- IPSHA Tennis Competition
- IPSHA Basketball Competition
- Learn to Sail
- Year 6 Touch Football (Monday at Rowland Park, Daceyville)
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability
Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify the supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines.
NCCD information is provided to the Australian Government and includes details about each student’s category of disability and the level of adjustment provided. This information assists schools to formally recognise the support provided to students with disability and to review their learning programs in order to improve educational outcomes for students with disability.
Kambala Bus Services
Kambala operates two subsidised bus services on two separate routes for Kambala students for both the morning and the afternoon.
Bookings are simple and details (including timetables) can be found here on Sundial.
Route 1: Eastern Beaches
La Perouse, Little Bay, Chifley, Matraville, Maroubra, Malabar, South Coogee, Coogee, Clovelly, Waverley, Bronte, Bondi Beach, North Bondi, Dover Heights and Kambala.
Route 2: Inner City
Eastgardens, Rosebery, Alexandria, Waterloo, Paddington, Woollahrs, Edgecliff, Double Bay, Point Piper and Kambala.
Kambala and Hampshire House Elevator Upgrades
Kambala is investing in some important upgrades to better serve our School community.
Over the coming months, we will be upgrading the elevators at both of our elevator sites, replacing each with a brand new installation.
As part of this process, each elevator will need to be temporarily decommissioned during its upgrade period. We want to make sure everyone has plenty of notice so you can plan accordingly:
- Tivoli Lawn Elevator - elevator out of service from 22 June to 24 August 2026
- Hampshire House Elevator - elevator out of service from 25 August to 19 October 2026
To ensure everyone can continue to move around the school with ease, please refer to the Sundial notification posted to parents earlier this week.
Junior School Events
Please see the next page for exciting Junior School Events and Dates for your Calendars!