From Mr Coppin
The Anxious Generation - Professor Jonathan Haidt
I was fascinated to read the Weekend Australian Magazine over Easter. Social Psychologist Professor Jonathan Haidt in his book “The Anxious Generation” argues that our society has presided over “the rewiring of childhood” with the introduction of smartphones. “The years from 2010 to 2015 have marked the definitive end of the play based childhood” citing data from the first generation of Americans who went through puberty with smartphones in their hands which “became more anxious and depressed”.
I thought it worthwhile to share Professor Haidt’s tips in an article entitled “Go outside and play! 20 rules for raising kids in the age of the iPhone”. This article affirms for the Junior School our stance as a iPhone and Smartwatch free environment. In the spirit of this sharing resources we highly recommend the YSafe Cyber Safety evening which will take place on Tuesday 7 May, 2024. Please note that our Year 5 and Year 6 students will also participate in workshops with Ysafe during the school day.
ySafe - Cyber Safety Education Session for Parents - Tuesday 7 May, 2024 - 6.00pm (please register)
Please see the below invitation and CLICK HERE to Register!
Easter at Kambala
The Easter Bunny on Tivoli and Bayview Hill Carline remind us of the power of our Kambala Community. That ferocious warmth abounds from our youngest learners to our parent community. My heartfelt thanks to the Kambala Parents Association for organising such a joyous gesture.
Last Thursday we took time to respect the diversity within our community and also honour our Anglican tradition with our Easter Services at St Michael’s at Vaucluse, taking much needed time to pause and reflect. Our Junior School Vice Captain Gabriella Botros has written a beautiful prayer.
Dear God,
Thank you for bringing us to this day and shining your light upon us. May Your boundless love and grace wash over us today and everyday, renewing our spirit and granting us the peace that comes from knowing we are forgiven. Thank you for providing us with endless opportunities, an education and loving people surrounding us. We thank you for all those you have brought into our lives to lead us, to guide us and to protect us, our parents, teachers and friends. We pray that you bless our Kambala community now and forever. We pray for a united and peaceful world with an end to all wars, poverty and global crises. Grant us the strength to learn from our mistakes and to grow into better people. Be our guide and watch over us in everything we do. As this term comes to an end, help us to continue working hard next term and throughout this whole year. In Jesus’ Name we pray.
Amen
Staffing News
Madame Lisa Cameron our Junior School French Specialist teacher, has made the courageous decision - after four years at Kambala - to relocate to France from the beginning of Term 2, 2024. We warmly thank Madame Cameron for her commitment to developing in the students a love of French learning from the earliest of ages. Her dedication to such memorable enterprises as Languages Day and commitment to our remote learning initiatives during the COVID lockdowns are to be commended. Madame Cameron is looking forward to further honing her impressive French skills and spending time with family in Europe.
Ms Kelly Hanson will commence as our French Specialist at the beginning of Term 1, 2024. Kelly Hanson is highly experienced and holds qualifications from Lancaster University with a Bachelor of Arts specialising in French in addition to a Post Graduate Certificate in Education also specialising in French.
Madame Hanson’s love of student language learning was evident at her demonstration lesson and she displays an admirable commitment to girls’ education having worked most recently at Ravenswood School for Girls and Pymble Ladies’ College.
Year 1 Calmsley Hill City Farm Excursion - Thursday 2 May, 2024
Year 1 students will attend an excursion to Calmsley Hill City Farm on Thursday 2 May, 2024 as part of their Science Unit on Living Things. Students will have the opportunity to see how plants and animals grow and change, learn about their life cycles and develop an understanding of how both are interrelated.
Our girls will meet a range of farm animals and classify them according to whether they are native or introduced species. Students will watch a sheep shearing demonstration, have the opportunity to milk a cow and interview a farm expert on how farm produce is obtained, prepared and processed before it reaches our table.
An online permission form will be sent to parents and carers tomorrow to complete.
On this excursion, students should wear their full sports uniform including their Sports Cap. Girls are not to wear their Fleece - Zip Jackets must be worn over their coloured House Polo shirt. Track suit pants may be brought only if weather is inclement and maybe worn over sports shorts. Please apply SUNSCREEN prior to coming to school.
Students are to arrive at school by 8.00am for immediate roll call and will leave school at 8:20 am SHARP and return to school at 3.00pm and are required to bring all food and water for the day in their BLACK KAMBALA EXCURSION BAG.
Winter Uniform - Term 2 - Outfitters
Please note that when students return in Term 2 they will be required to wear thei Winter uniform.
Our Outfitters store operates on Monday, Wednesday and Friday until the end of Term 1 (excluding Easter Public Holidays - Good Friday and Easter Monday
The last working day of Term 1 is Wednesday, 10 April. Outfitters will re-open Week 1 of Term 2 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. We will revert to our usual opening days of Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Week 2 of Term 2.