From Ms Gooch

Term 3 brings many opportunities for us to connect with our Parents on site here at Kambala. I am very much looking forward to my first Massie House Sports day tomorrow, as I know many of our students are too! We also have our Book character Parade coming up on Friday 26 August, our Year 4 Drama Showcase on Thursday 29 August, the Whole School Fathers’ Day Breakfast on Friday 30 August and our very special Junior School Open Day, on Friday 20 September. Please mark these dates in your calendar and if you are able, we would love you to join us to celebrate learning.

Yesterday our Junior School staff were fortunate to have a professional development session with Dr Mark Williams. Dr Williams has been a professor of cognitive neuroscience working in universities worldwide, with over 25 years experience conducting behavioural and brain imaging research focusing on social skills. He is primarily concerned with the neuroscience behind learning, the neuroscience of emotions and the impact of modern technologies (like Smartphones) on our brains.

It was affirming in listening to Dr Williams to know that we are on the front foot here at Kambala in our approaches to teaching and learning. Dr Williams showed us the ways the human brain constantly changes, and with this, we feel proud of the importance we place on assisting our students to learn about their own potential as learners and knowledge seekers. The significance of sleep was also highlighted in its crucial role in consolidating memories and in transferring them from short-term to long-term storage. Of course, this has many implications for our educators as designers of learning. Finally, we were yet again reminded of the concerns surrounding Smartphone use for young people, at a time when connection and belonging could not be more paramount. I encourage you to take a look at his most recent publication, “The Connected Species: How the Evolution of the Human Brain Can Save the World” (Williams, 2023).

Sincerely,

Samantha Gooch

Traffic on Bayview Hill Road/Tivoli Avenue

As you may know, there was an incident this morning (Thursday 8 August) involving a truck which had broken down on Bayview Hill road for a period of time. Thank you for your patience.

Please be aware that we do everything we can in situations such as these, and safety of students in these zones is our prime concern. Assist us by being mindful to take care to maintain a 40km/h limit in our school zones.

Kids' Cancer Project - Mufti Day - Friday 2 August, 2024

We are delighted to share that we have been able to raise approximately $1,650.00 during last week’s Mufti Day in support of the Kids’ Cancer Project.

We thank our Junior School Families for your generosity.

Book Week Competition (optional)

Students are invited to participate in a competition based on the theme for Book Week- Reading is Magic. Students may choose from the following:

Create an artwork inspired by the theme (1 x A3 page limit)
Write a story/poem inspired by the theme (1 x A4 page limit, written or typed- single sided)
Design a poster about the magic of reading (1 x A4 page limit)

Students can give their competition submission to Mrs Pericles by Wed 21 August. Their name and class should be written on the back. Winners will be announced at Assembly and these will be displayed in the Library. Students who choose to submit an entry will need to do this in their own time; class time will not be allocated for this as it is optional.

Year 4 Drama Showcase - The Legend of The Blue Sapphire - Thursday 29 August, 2024 - 6.00pm - 7.30pm

Parents and Carers of Year 4 Students are warmly invited to attend the Year 4 Drama Showcase of The Legend of The Blue Sapphire.

Please CLICK HERE for tickets.

Junior School Tennis Championships - Tuesday 13 August, 2024

On Tuesday 13 August Kambala will be running the annual Junior School Tennis Championships. The tournament will be held at Kambala School tennis courts.

Please click here to find all the information. The permission form is at the bottom of the letter.