From the Deputy Principal - Head of Junior School

From Mr Coppin

At Kambala, building a Culture of Thinking has become a central pillar of our educational philosophy, deeply informed by the work of Dr Ron Ritchhart who fulfils the role as Academic In Residence. His research, particularly through Project Zero at Harvard, emphasises that the environment in which learning occurs is just as important as the curriculum itself. Embracing this mindset, our journey began with the belief that thinking must be made visible—not only through student work, but through the way teachers speak, plan, and interact. Classrooms evolved into spaces where curiosity is valued, ideas are shared respectfully, and intellectual risk-taking is encouraged. It’s not just about what students learn, but how they engage with learning itself.

 

As our staff engaged more deeply with Ritchhart’s principles, we began embedding his “Cultural Forces” into the fabric of our teaching practice. Teachers collaborated to intentionally shape routines, language, and expectations that promote deep thinking. Thinking routines such as See-Think-Wonder, Claim-Support-Question, and I used to think... Now I think... have become part of the daily rhythm, helping students to slow down, reflect, and articulate their thought processes. Professional development sessions and reflective practice have been key to this growth, enabling teachers to design learning that fosters understanding, not just knowledge acquisition.

 

The impact on our learning culture has been profound. Students are now more metacognitive, aware not only of what they are learning but how they are learning. A shared language of thinking has empowered even our youngest learners to engage with complex ideas and to see themselves as capable thinkers. At Kambala, we are not just teaching content—we are nurturing a community where thinking is valued, visible, and central to all we do. Dr Ritchhart’s work continues to inspire our journey, helping us shape a vibrant, thoughtful learning culture that prepares our students to thrive both in school and beyond. 

Student Free Day - Friday 6 June 2025

Friday 6 June is a Student Free Day, and our Teaching Staff are excited to be spending the day working with Academic In Residence Dr Ron Ritchhart from Harvard’s Project Zero Classroom.

 

Please also note that Monday 9 June is the King's Birthday Public Holiday. 

Exploring URSTRONG and the Language of Friendship - Recording

At Junior School, building a strong foundation of social-emotional learning is a key priority, and one of the most impactful ways we do this is through our involvement in the URSTRONG program. Last week we hosted a webinar on the Language of Friendship.  This globally recognised friendship program empowers your daughters with the skills and language they need to foster healthy relationships. With engaging lessons, role-playing, and thoughtful discussion, URSTRONG helps our students become more empathetic, confident, and resilient friends.

 

**LANGUAGE OF FRIENDSHIP RECORDING - CLICK HERE 

Inquisitive Minds Maths Incursion 

This term, students in Years 3-6 will participate in an exciting Maths incursion with Inquisitive Minds. The students will engage with maths activities and brain teasers which demonstrate the value of approaching problems strategically. They will apply a range of problem solving strategies, including Drawing Diagrams, Making Models, and Looking for a Pattern. Students will participate in interactive, hands-on challenges, as well as developing skills of cooperative learning in a fun, engaging way. The incursion will take place in the Junior School on the following dates:

  • Monday 2 June: Year 3 and Year 4
  • Tuesday 3 June: Year 5 and Year 6 

Year 3 Term 3 Saturday Sport Registration 

Please click here to access all the information in regards to the Year 3 Saturday Sports offer for Term 3 2025.

 

The girls will have two Saturday Sport options to choose from – Netball or Minkey Hockey. Girls can only register for ONE sport, as they will both take place Saturday mornings. 

 

Please note that the final day for registrations is Friday 13 June. The Google Registration form can be found at the bottom of the letter.