Our Head of Junior School reflects on a joyful start to 2026, welcoming new families and inviting students to embrace a year of curiosity, confidence and endless possibility.
What a joy it was to welcome our girls back for the first day of school on Tuesday. It was a wonderful day, full of excitement and joyful reunions as the students warmly greeted each other. Watching them with friends, old and new, was heart-warming, and a perfect way to start the year. A new school year brings a new start for all of us, especially for those of us who are new to our school. We warmly welcome all our new students and their families, and in particular, welcome our youngest learners to our Early Learning Centre, and our 2026 Foundation class, who are entering the next phase of their schooling in the Junior School. Along with welcoming new students and families, we are delighted that Ms. Jayde Kermeci returns to us as a member of our Learning Diversity team, and we warmly welcome back Mrs Lisa White after a period of Long Service Leave as our Learning Diversity Leader. The energy, smiles and sense of anticipation reminded us all how special the beginning of a school year truly is.
At our first Junior School gathering on Tuesday after recess, we shared the picture book Maybe by Kobi Yamada. It is a gentle and powerful story that reminds children that each one of them carries extraordinary possibility inside. The book speaks about potential, courage and becoming – not needing to have everything figured out, but being open to discovering who we are and what we can do.
We talked with the girls about how a new school year is full of “maybes.”
The message was simple but important: our girls do not need to arrive at school knowing all the answers. They just need to arrive with an open mind…open to learning, to friendship, to growth and to possibility. In our Junior School, we are committed to creating an environment where every child feels safe to try, to wonder, to question and to believe in what might be possible.
As a community, we play a vital role in nurturing these “maybes.” When girls feel known, supported and encouraged, possibility turns into confidence, and confidence turns into achievement. We look forward to partnering with families as we guide our students through a year of discovery and development. As part of our commitment to a positive start, and laying strong foundations for success, this year we marked the beginning of the year through our Commencement Interviews. These meetings provided a valuable opportunity for students, families and teachers to connect, share hopes for the year ahead and set positive intentions together. We hope you found this time meaningful and that it helped establish a strong, supportive partnership from the very start. Our aim was for each family to feel welcomed and heard, and for every student to begin the year with encouragement and clarity about the exciting journey ahead.
On Monday 2 February, as a staff we said farewell to Ms Emma Hinchliffe, as she prepares for the birth of her second baby. We wish Emma, her husband Nigel and daughter Ruby love and blessings, and we are very much looking forward to hearing about their new arrival! Ms Hinchliffe will return to us for assembly on Friday 6 February so that our students can thank her for all she has contributed to the life of our school and wish her well.
It was a delight to join so many families at the Parents & Friends Welcome Drinks on Thursday evening. The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, and it was wonderful to see parents connecting with one another at the start of the year. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to chat with families, hear their stories as we get to know each other. Evenings like this are a beautiful reminder of the strong sense of community that sits at the heart of our School. My sincere thanks to our Parents & Friends Association for hosting such an enjoyable event. I am very much looking forward to the year ahead and the many opportunities to connect with our families.
This edition of CamNews includes some helpful information to ensure a smooth start to the year. In addition to this, please refer to the Parent Handbook for further information regarding expectations and procedures or pages on myCGGS. If you require a copy of the Parent Handbook please see the Junior School Reception.
Thank you for entrusting us with your children. We are excited for all that this year will bring and cannot wait to see the many ways in which each child will grow. With hope and optimism, we look forward to a year filled with endless possibility.
I wish everyone in our community a wonderful 2026 and look forward to getting to know you over the coming weeks.
Mrs. Kellie Morgan
Head of Junior School
We are incredibly proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Audrey S, Year 4, whose dedication to tennis has reached new heights on the world stage. Following a year of exceptional hard work and high-level performance with the Victoria State Team in 2025, Audrey’s talent was recognised with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. In January 2026, she was selected to perform the official coin toss for tennis icon Naomi Osaka during her Women’s Singles at the Australian Open. This prestigious honour is a testament to Audrey’s commitment to her sport.
We congratulate Audrey on this remarkable milestone and look forward to supporting her as she continues to excel on the court.
This week marked an exciting beginning to the school year as we welcomed both new and returning children to the ELC through a gentle orientation process. A strong focus was placed on nurturing meaningful relationships and building connections between home and school, recognising these partnerships as the foundation for children’s sense of belonging, identity, and the emotional safety needed for learning. Establishing positive connections early in the year is a vital aspect of our intentionally designed curriculum, supporting the wellbeing of our youngest learners and their families. When children feel safe, secure, and connected, they approach new learning experiences with confidence, curiosity, and a willingness to communicate and explore.
As highlighted by Fox, Levitt, and Nelson (2010), positive, secure, and respectful relationships provide the relational safety children need to practise managing emotions, attention, and behaviour. These capacities help them participate meaningfully in collaborative learning contexts and lay strong foundations for future learning beyond the ELC.
Throughout the week, a gentle buzz of excitement filled the classrooms as children explored their new and thoughtfully curated learning environments. They were curious and engaged, discovering how different areas of the room could be used and learning what each experience offered. As they navigated new routines and expectations, children began to settle into the rhythms of their day, feeling increasingly confident and supported.
Interactions between children were warm, joyful, and respectful. With opportunities to practise waiting, taking turns, collaborating, and responding to one another’s ideas, children experienced authentic moments of connection that helped them feel part of a larger community of learners. These early interactions support them in trying new things, experimenting with materials, and engaging in tasks for sustained periods. Over time, they will develop a shared sense of responsibility for both their environment and one another’s learning, building the foundations for cooperative and independent engagement throughout the year.
Esther Wong
Early Learning Coordinator
Our Head of Junior School reflects on a joyful start to 2026, welcoming new families and inviting students to embrace a year of curiosity, confidence and endless possibility.
More than 400 parents came together for the Annual PFA Welcome Evening, celebrating connection, conversation and a warm start to the year as a community.
A new school year begins with the energy of new students, exceptional VCE results, and important developments shaping the year ahead at Camberwell Girls.
