From Mr Coppin
The Bonsai Child - 10 Year Anniversary
This year marks the tenth anniversary of The Bonsai Child, Dr Judith Locke’s thoughtful book which invited parents and educators to reflect on how best to support children as they grow. We have in previous years had Dr Locke share her expertise with our Kambala parents.
Drawing on her work as a clinical psychologist, Locke explored the idea of “over-parenting,” where adults, with the best of intentions, step in too often to protect children from difficulties. Like a carefully pruned bonsai tree, children who are shielded from every challenge may look flourishing on the surface, but may miss important chances to develop independence and resilience.
Ten years later, her message continues to resonate strongly. In today’s world, young people encounter both small and larger setbacks—whether it be friendship ups and downs, disappointment on the sporting field, or the everyday challenges of learning. Locke’s work gently reminds us that discomfort is not the same as harm. In fact, moments of disappointment, frustration, or failure can be valuable opportunities for growth, helping children practise the skills they need to manage life’s ups and downs.
For families and schools, the anniversary of The Bonsai Child offers a timely reminder of balance. Supporting children does not mean removing every obstacle; it means encouraging them, standing alongside them, and giving them the confidence to try again when things do not go to plan. When setbacks are seen as stepping stones, children are more likely to grow into adaptable, resilient, and capable young adults.
Preparation - Year 6 Book Character Parade - Weather Update
As foreshadowed in our Book Parade invitation, It is with a heavy heart that we advise the Book Character Parade will not be able to take place this year. In addition to the forecast rain, the present condition of Tivoli Lawn following recent wet weather has made areas unsafe for crowds, and unfortunately, we are unable to relocate the event indoors due to space and safety considerations.
While we will miss the joy of our community gathering for this highlight of Book Week, we are committed to ensuring the day remains special for the girls. Students are warmly encouraged to wear their costumes to school, and the following activities will take place:
- Year 6 Wellbeing Committee will be on Carline to cheerfully greet students in costume.
- Junior School Cake Stalls will go ahead in Massie and Watt for students to enjoy.
- Book Hamper Raffle draw.
- Massie and Watt Assemblies will include opportunities for the girls to gather in costume.
- Class photos will be taken by our school photographer and shared with families via Sundial.
We know how much time and creativity goes into preparing costumes each year and are grateful for the enthusiasm of our families in making Book Week such a highlight for our students.
Looking ahead, we will also have opportunities for parent connection at Open Day and Father’s Day celebrations in the coming weeks, both of which have wet-weather contingencies in place.
Thank you for your assistance in reframing this with your daughters, we have been impressed with the manner in which our students have responded to this news.
Kind regards,
Stuart Coppin
Deputy Principal – Head of Junior School
Year 6 Bake Stall and Link to Purchase Tickets - Friday 22 August 2025
Please CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for the Bake Sale tomorrow
Book Week Raffle - Win a Basket of Brilliant Books! (link below)
Celebrate the joy of reading and support our Year 6 students by entering the Book Week Raffle! You could win a beautifully curated basket of 2025 CBCA Shortlisted titles, along with top reading picks specially selected by Mr Coppin. This wonderful collection includes stories to inspire, entertain and inform readers of all ages.
By purchasing a ticket, you're not only fostering a love of reading at home, but also contributing to a special Year 6 fundraising initiative — raising funds for a farewell gift to the Junior School.
The lucky winner will be drawn on Friday 22 August 2025, following our Junior School Book Parade. Don’t miss your chance to take home a treasure trove of books!
Please CLICK HERE to purchase your RAFFLE TICKETS!
Kindergarten Swimming Lessons in PE begin Monday 8 September (Term 3)
Dear Kindergarten Parents,
It is with great excitement that I write to let you know that your daughter will commence swimming lessons during one of her PE classes each week from Monday 8 September.
KS - Mondays Period 3
KU - Wednesdays Period 4
These swimming lessons are part of the PE Curriculum and are aimed at assisting your daughter to build confidence and remain safe in an aquatic environment. Your daughter will be taught in small groups of approximately 6 – 8 students and each group will have their own teacher. Working in smaller groups allows the teacher to tailor lesson activities to the needs of the group.
* Important details to ensure your daughter is prepared for her first swimming lessons:
On the days when your daughter has her swimming lesson she should wear her PE uniform with her Kambala swimming costume underneath or bring it in her sports bag. All girls will also be required to bring a towel, swimming cap, goggles and thongs to wear to and from the pool and underwear for the end of the lesson.
Kambala swimmers are now available at Outfitters however, if your daughter has another full piece swimsuit, she will be able to wear this but please be aware that she will require a Kambala swimming costume for the start of 2026.
The Classroom teacher and/or PE teacher will walk the students to and from the swimming pool. After the lesson, the students will have a quick shower on the pool deck before being walked back to their classroom where they will change into their sports uniform under the supervision of the classroom teacher.
If your daughter has had little experience in swimming, we would suggest additional swimming lessons at this early stage. The Tivoli Swimming School (at the Kambala Pool) offers a variety of programs to assist students develop their confidence and safety in the water. For further details contact:
Tivoliswimming@kambala.nsw.edu.au
We look forward to supporting your daughter’s development. Please email robyn_mcmillan@kambala.nsw.edu.au if you have further questions.
Junior School Semester 2 Parent Teacher Zoom Interviews - Monday 15 - Thursday 18 September 2025
Parent-Teacher interviews with Class and Specialist teachers will be held during Week 9 of Term 3 (Monday 15 September - Thursday 18 September). Specialist teachers available for interviews are:
Year 2- Art, PE, Science
Year 3- Drama, Music, Science
Year 4- Drama, PE, Science
Year 5- Art, French, Mandarin, Music
Year 6- Art, French, Music, PE
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 21 August and will close at 4pm on Thursday 4 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.
2025 Term 4 Years 4 - 6 Sports Choice
You can find the letter containing all the 2025 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 4pm Tuesday 26 August
The options for Term 4 2025 are:
- IPSHA Tennis Competition
- IPSHA Basketball Competition
- Learn to Sail
- Year 6 Touch Football (Monday at Rowland Park, Daceyville)
- Year 5 Touch Football (Tuesday at Heffron Park, Maroubra)
Junior School House Touch - Tuesday 26 August 2025 at Lunchtime
We will be holding the Junior School House Touch (Netball matches were competed) matches at lunch time on the oval in week 6. The two houses with the highest point score in each sport will progress to the final, which will be held on Friday 12 September, Junior School Open Day. Teams are made up of Year 6 students who play Touch or Netball for Kambala first. If required, Year 5 students who play netball/touch for Kambala, will be used until the teams are full.
All girls are asked to bring their sports uniform and runners/touch shoes along on the days they are playing matches. Please come up to the oval at the start of lunch each day.
The dates of the matches are:
Tuesday 26 August - Touch
The teams for both House Netball and House Touch can be found here
Winter Reminder
As we move through the winter months, we tend to see an increase in illnesses such as Influenza and RSV. To help protect the health of our students and staff, we kindly ask that children only attend school if they are well. If your child is experiencing symptoms such as fever, coughing, sore throat, or general unwellness, please keep them at home until they have fully recovered. Your support helps us maintain a healthy and safe learning environment for everyone.
St Peter's Anglican Church, Watsons Bay - New Service
Year 4 Adopt a Koala
This term, Year 4 will adopt a koala through WWF as part of our HSIE unit on interacting with the environment. This initiative will help our girls connect classroom learning with real-world solutions.
Koalas are now endangered along Australia’s east coast due to disease, bushfires, floods and deforestation and students have been inspired to take action, launching a small fundraiser and sharing why protecting koalas matters to them.
As Izzy said, “Koalas are endangered, and it’s important to protect them.” Stella added, “Koalas are a part of Australia’s history, and they need us to protect them and stop them from going extinct.” Eres reminded us, “They have just as much of a right to survive as we do.”
This adoption has encouraged our young learners to become passionate advocates for Australia’s wildlife and environment.