From the Deputy Principal - Head of Junior School

From Mr Coppin

Humanity in Global Mindedness

We cherish the opportunity to listen to multiple perspectives and advocate with purpose. We use our voice to communicate with impact.

 

Yesterday afternoon our academic staff from Hampshire House to Year 12 had the opportunity to learn more as we embark on the valuable work of unpacking and understanding our: 

Designed with Girls in Mind, Kambala Philosophy for Dispositional Learning

 

It had me thinking of the work we do in the Junior School in terms of understanding our school values.  Whether it be our youngest Prep learners articulating their understanding of our Kambala Values of Humanity, or Year 2 learners expressing  why animals are unhappy in Zoos, or Year 5 students communicating with impact gender roles in household chores perpetuated by the toys we play with.

 

We design a range of experiences which help the students to become empathetic learners who communicate with impact. The Ingrid Holden Cup is a cornerstone program. Students from Year 1 to Year 6 participate in this Kambala initiative. The complexity of the competition grows with our students to incorporate a combination of pre prepared and impromptu tasks. Our Year 4 and Year 6 Whole Cohort drama productions help your daughters find voice in character which dovetails beautifully with the Ingrid Holden Cup which helps them find their voice as themselves. 

 

In terms of global understanding , we often think of Australia as the lucky country and assume  “global perspectives” to mean that we should understand the plight of countries less fortunate than ours.  However, it is also powerful to dive deep into the data to take a closer look at what the statistics are telling us.  

 

The World Economic Forum has ranked 146 countries(from 1 to 146)  in 2023 to determine an overall gender gap rating. This overall gender gap rating comprises of a number of key sub scales listed below:

  • Educational Attainment
  • Economic Participation and Prosperity
  • Political Empowerment
  • Health Outcomes

It is fascinating to see where Australia sits on these respective subscales in terms of the disparity between gender experiences. I have selected two subscales. To illustrate the point of comparison further there is a selection of countries:

 

Educational Attainment

Australia 78 

Nicaragua 1

United Kingdom 34

New Zealand 1 

South Africa 43

 

Economic Participation and Opportunity

Australia 38 

Nicaragua 98

United Kingdom 43

New Zealand 42

South Africa 81

 

Political Empowerment

Australia 29 

Nicaragua 3

United Kingdom 19

New Zealand 3 

South Africa 13

 

 

Overall Gender Gap

Australia 26

Nicaragua 7 

United Kingdom 15

New Zealand 4

South Africa 20

 

To read the full World Economic 2023 Report, please CLICK HERE

 

It is fascinating to chart where Australia sits in relation to a number of key measures and the overall gender gap.  If this world economic forum report was a report card, I would certainly say for Australia as a nation there is “room for improvement” (as much as I love this country).  However, as I listen to your daughters through a range of targeted learnings and initiatives communicate with impact on a breadth of issues such as Zoos and their impact on animal welfare, to Gender roles in Housework, I know our world is in safe hands.

 

I  write this article from Melbourne, as I am attending the IPSHA (Primary Principals) Biennial Conference encompassing a range of guest speakers and School visits to Melbourne Girls Grammar School, Melbourne Grammar School and Christ Church Grammar School.  

 

I will be sorry to miss our Year 6 Father Daughter Dance tonight, but know this event is in safe hands with Ms Danvers and Ms Moore (and thanks to our wonderful parent volunteers) and look forward to hearing from the students on my return to the fair hill on Monday. 

ISDA Debating

I take this opportunity to congratulate our ISDA Debaters. 

 

Our Primary A Team made up of:

  • Gabriella Botros
  • Elizabeth Criddle
  • Avery Lee
  • Erykah Skimin
  • Aurora Wang

have made it through to the next round and will compete at Riverview (and against Riverview) on Friday evening. 

 

Our Primary B Team have competed undefeated but were unfortunately knocked out of the Octo Round. We thank our Primary B Debaters:

  • Piper Bell
  • Sophie Chen
  • Hannah Lawson
  • Helen Le
  • Iolanthe Sallos-Beechey

Year 4 Drama Showcase - Parent Volunteer (Zoom)  Meeting - Thursday 6 June, 2024 6.30 - 7.00pm

Calling all parents/carers of our Year 4 students who may like to assist with costuming and props for the upcoming Term 3 Drama Showcase 'The Legend of the Blue Sapphire'.

Please register your assistance by joining the below zoom session.

Date: Thursday 6 June 

Time: 6:30 - 7:00pm

Where: Via zoom - https://kambala.zoom.us/j/6782753424

Pupil Free Day - Friday 7 June, 2024

We advise our Preparation to Year 6 parents that Friday 7 June, 2024 is Staff Development Day and students will not attend school on this day.

 

Our Extra Curricular Department have advised that there will be an offering of Holiday Camps on this date and a link will be sent to parents in the coming days. 

 

Please also note that Monday 10 June is the King's Birthday Public Holiday. 

Years 4 - 6 Term 3 Saturday Sports Choice

Please be advised that you can find the letter containing all the 2024 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 Monday 27 May by 9 am. 

 

The options for Term 3 2024 are:

 IPSHA Touch Football

  • Please note that for Year 4 girls, as well as trials, we will offer clinics in Term 2 to ensure they will be familiar with the game before Term 3 starts.
  • Please also note that the girls who have signed up for the Term 2 Touch Football Clinics will still need to register for IPSHA Touch Football.

 Badminton Clinics 

  • As an alternative to the IPSHA Competitions, we will offer Badminton coaching clinics each Saturday morning in Term 3. 
  • The Saturday morning clinics will take place at Badminton Worx located at 2/30 Sir Joseph Banks Street Botany 

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

 

Please see the next page for more events coming up in Term 2