Senior School
Happy Holidays!
I wanted to personally thank students and their families for what has been another amazing year of learning. Students have navigated challenges, tried new experiences and subjects and grown in what they learn and how they learn. I look forward to our Speech Day next week where we celebrate some of those accomplishments and also have students reflect upon the year that was.
I want to wish everyone a wonderful summer break. I hope there are times of relaxation and preparation for 2025 which promises to be yet another year of excitement. Happy holidays from Daisy and me.
Ms Carolyn Gedling
Deputy Principal - Academic
A Sundial Reminder - Removal of Groups
As we approach 2025, a reminder to all parents that if your daughter is no longer part of a group (sport of music) for next year, you will need to remove yourself from that group so you do not receive notifications in 2025.
Step 1: Log onto Sundial
Step 2: Select Groups - small ball icon top of navigation bar
Step 3: Select applicable group tile, click onto the 3 dots
Step 4: Leave that group
Year 10 Rapid Value Creation Week
As part of the Altius program in week 6, we partnered with UTS Start Ups to create a weeklong experience in entrepreneurship for Year 10.
This program – called the Rapid Value Creation program, aimed to inspire students in entrepreneurship, supporting them to develop a real online store with real products, sales and profits that went to our school charities!
The program involved critical thinking and problem solving. It combined a data driven approach and matching customer vision. It also focused on ethical business models, venturing into the schools’ value of Humanity.
The program's Missions were a mix of independent, self-paced learning on Canvas and face to face workshops, led by our staff along with speakers from UTS Start Ups. Each mission focused on a different aspect of digital marketing and eCommerce, such as Etsy, Faceless YouTube and low to medium content books published on Amazon KDP.
As part of the RVC Week students worked through 4 of the 8 missions In House teams. All items were sold through the schools’ online stores and profits went towards the school charities. On the final day of the course students met entrepreneurs to discuss next steps in how to grow their businesses.
Successful completion of all 8 missions and assessments, as part of a planned, optional, extracurricular club in Year 11, will contribute to adjustment points for entry to any course at UTS.
Special thanks to Bianca Dutoit, Ryan Azzapardi and Alex Cheung for their work in preparing and delivering this fantastic opportunity to our girls.
Ms Freya Campion
Head of Curricular Experiences
Senior School STEM Club
This term our Senior STEM Club saw a return to the long running partnership with NexGen STEM School and Kambala. This terms project was designing, building and programming a simple Rover Robot. Each week students completed a small part of the project with instructions from NexGen and guidance from Mr Goodwin.
Students learnt how to connect Arduino based microcontrollers to their laptops and install simple computer programs. The rover body was fully 3D printed and students got a taste of 3D modelling and printing their customised robot heads to house the distance and motion sensors. While most students were happy with a simple face, or their name printed on their robot a special mention has to go to Skye Wells who 3D modelled a fairy cottage and duck pond on her robot's head and took the time to paint it.
Motors and sensors were screwed and bolted together, wires quickly plugged together, and any breaks fixed with soldering irons. When trial runs started many robots ran in reverse or spun on the spot so quick troubleshooting and reversing of power cables or motor housing got them driving correctly.
When it got to coding all prewritten code was available for students to analysis and modify for their own designs and robots raced around the science labs with just a few crashes.
NexGen Code camp will be returning to Kambala next year with term 1 projects to design, print, build and code a retro arcade game console to play Asteroids on. For more information email Mr Goodwin.
Mr Mark Goodwin
Science
Congratulations Evangeline Chu - Year 12
We previously announced that Evangeline Chu (Year 12) was nominated for potential inclusion in the HSC Young Writer's Showcase.
We are delighted to learn that Evie has now been awarded this rare honour and that her major work has been selected for inclusion in this publication. Evie's major work will be published, alongside a small selection of other exemplary works from the 2024 HSC submissions.
Evie's work was a suite of poetry that centred her personal voice and cleverly experimented with different poetic forms to represent sight. We look forward to sharing her work in our Kambala showcase shortly.
I congratulate Evie for her achievement and her mentor, Ms Horsley.
Ms Greta Beaumont
Head of English
Bannockburn Experience - Year 11 IB students
During week 5, 9 of our International Baccalaureate students embarked on an exciting new initiative in partnership with The Scots College. Utilising their site ‘Bannockburn’ students were able to spend 3 days embracing experiential learning outside the classroom.
Students were able to apply their Biology and Geography knowledge to Water and Soil testing - investigating the impact of Agriculture and man on the environment. Students were also able to gain valuable insights into regenerative practices from Kym and Duncan who farm and are regenerating the site.
Students were also able to add to their Art Portfolios utilising natural resources to make prints and Cyanotypes. Additionally, students were able to engage with WWF workers and Aboriginal Community members to learn about the history of Bannockburn and participate in a Quoll reintroduction programme - the first of its kind on mainland Australia.
The purpose of this experience is to strengthen academic links between the ‘real world’ outside the classroom and what is learnt inside the classroom, as well as honing skills in data gathering, independence and critical thinking.
Over time Kambala students will be able to utilise this incredible venue more and more, allowing them to understand the changes to Bannockburn over time; creating a large data set that can examine the result of these regenerative practices.
Thank you to Ms Selinger and Ms Kite as well as our colleagues at The Scots College for making this a success and embarking on this exciting journey together.
Claudia Chilsolm said of the experience:
“The Bannockburn experience was incredible and unforgettable. I loved exploring the natural surroundings, observing the wildlife, and spending time with my friends at camp. The highlight was engaging in the Quoll rewilding program and learning about how various organisations and experts work together to protect the land and this endangered species”.
Sreejita Pal explained:
“The first day we arrived at Bannockburn felt refreshing. We were introduced to our camp carers Duncan and Kym who talked us through the history and significance of the place and showed us our shared dorm area. We headed off to do our first experiment, which was Water Testing. We used different equipment, such as the Nitrate and Salinity Probes, and learned to use a new device called a Calorimeter. Kym taught us how to identify certain species of plants. It was a new experience and a privilege that I was able to meet such knowledgeable people teaching us practically how to measure and do things rather than learning in textbooks.”
Ms Freya Campion
Head of Curricular Experiences
The IGSA Festival of Speech
Congratulations to the incredible team of students who represented Kambala in the IGSA Festival of Speech 2024!
In late October, Saskia Munro (Year 7), Emma Simonovic (Year 7), Sabine Reja (Year 9), Skye Wells (Year 9), Alissa Song (Year 9), Hania Skimin (Year 9), Vy Vo (Year 11), Zara Dempsey (Year 11) and Bonnie Zheng (Year 11) travelled to MLC Burwood to represent Kambala in the Public Speaking, Performance Poetry, Readings and Religious & Ethical Questions Segments of the Competition.
Please read below for a brief synopsis of each of our student’s performance pieces.
Public Speaking Section:
Saskia gave us a gripping analysis of the increasing normalisation of child exploitation across social media platforms today. Her impromptu centred on the topic ‘You Need to Know About…’, whereby she delivered a powerful breakdown of the dangers of AI technology.
Zara’s prepared speech delivered an excellent analysis of the abhorrent perpetuation of the culture of acceptance when it comes to crimes of sexual misconduct across the globe. Zara’s impromptu, centred on the topic ‘No Place Like Home’, provided a phenomenal examination of child exploitation across social media platforms, tackling with excellence the ethical concerns of child stars returning from school to a rigorous acting and performance-based studio rather than a peaceful home.
Poetry Section:
Sabine gave an exceptionally engaging performance of ‘The Raven’ by Edgar Allen Poe, whilst Vy gave a fantastically emotive performance of ‘Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night’ by Dylan Thomas. Both students proceeded to impress the audience with a phenomenal impromptu poetry reading.
Readings Section:
Bonnie delivered an extraordinary performance of a collection of readings which concerned child sexual abuse, whereby she urged audiences to push Australia to do more to address this problem across the nation, whilst Emma delivered with outstanding excellent a collection of readings concerning misogyny present in society today, with a particular focus on Julia Gillard’s misogyny speech to deliver such powerful commentary.
Religious and Ethical Questions Section:
Hania, Skye and Alissa worked exceptionally well in deciphering and explaining the ethical concerns behind the increasing number of billionaires and the new emergence of an ultra-rich class in the context of a world whereby so many are living below or barely above the poverty line. Their discussions on the panel included considerations of limitarianism and the movement to a care-centred economy rather than one that prioritises individual wealth above all else. Their teamwork was commended highly throughout the event, as well as the fact that they were the youngest competing in the category, and yet their answers to the various ethical questions posed demonstrated extraordinary maturity and understanding.
We congratulate all students listed above on their dedication in preparing for this competition, as well as their engaging, awe-inspiring performances throughout.
Buy/Sell/Swap
The Environment Committee is excited to have launched the Kambala Buy/Sell/Swap WhatsApp group for parents and students to buy/sell/swap uniforms, textbooks, musical instruments and any other items required for school.
This encourages the reuse and recycling of uniforms and textbooks which helps minimise waste and lowers the demand for new products, contributing to environmental conservation. By facilitating these exchanges, the group not only supports economic efficiency within the school community but also instils a culture of sustainability, reducing the overall environmental footprint of the school.
We encourage parents and students (Junior and Senior School) to join this group if you haven’t done so already via the QR code. Now is a great time to use this chat as many students are looking for school-related items for 2025.
Abi Jellins
Environment Prefect
Kambala Flutes Shine on the International Stage
This year in the Lyrical Flute International Competition 2024, the Kambala Flute Trio (Chloe Carman, Grace Yang and Eloise Hoskins) achieved an impressive second place in the ensemble section. Their polished performance and well-practised piece captivated the judges, including legendary flautist Sir James Galway, who served as one of the adjudicators.
Additionally, members of the Year 9 Flute Class, also under the tutelage of Mrs Benz, (Bella Wang, Lucy Pan, Katerina Harris, and Katherine Lewis) received a Highly Commended award in the same section, showcasing the exceptional talent and dedication of our Kambala flautists.
Lucy Pan
Year 9
Shakespeare in Hollywood by Ken Ludwig
Kambala is pleased to announce our 2025 middle school production will be the very amusing Shakespeare in Hollywood, Ken Ludwig. Shakespeare in Hollywood is a wonderfully farcical play that has great character roles, whilst also providing opportunities for a busy ensemble who will play an array of supporting roles.
Synopsis
Take the glitz and glamour of 1930s Hollywood, populated by real-life, yet delightfully exaggerated, personalities of the movie scene. Add a sophisticated German director with an artistic vision, a couple of misplaced supernatural beings, and one of William Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies of all time, and you get Ken Ludwig’s Shakespeare in Hollywood, in which Max Reinhardt’s problematic 1934 production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” -- sure to be box office poison -- is further complicated when Oberon and Puck, fresh from A Wood Outside Athens, find themselves transported from the land of legend and classical myth all the way to Hollywood and in the middle of a suspiciously familiar story.
Oberon may be the all-powerful King of the Fairies -- but he has never dealt with ambitious starlets, prying gossip columnists, or the odious Will Hays, the all-powerful King of Censorship. And Puck may be an old hand at jolly mischief, but he has encountered nothing like the cool sunglasses and hot beauties of Hollywood! When the enchantment of the silver screen meets the magic of Fairyland, all merry hell breaks loose, and we are treated to transformations, chase scenes, and the kind of havoc that only that certain love-juice can wreak. Shakespeare in Hollywood is a supernatural screwball romp, full of entertainment, and even a little bit of education.
Auditions
Auditions will be open to all girls who will be in either Year 7 or Year 8 in 2025, and will take place on Saturday 7 December, in the Junior School MPR. Go to the Sundial Drama Production page for more information or email Alice Bendall -alice_bendall@kambala.nsw.edu.au
Ms Lisa Moir
Drama
Mayor of Woollahra Concert
On Wednesday 27th November, a select few of our chamber ensembles were invited to perform for the Mayor of Woollahra’s Christmas Reception at Woollahra Council Chambers. This was truly an honour for our Kambala girls who did us proud performing a selection of repertoire from Mozart to Elgar, and Haydn to Stamitz.
The newly elected Mayor, Sarah Swan, an old girl of Kambala, was thrilled to have the chamber groups perform. The Junior String Quartet, the Year 9 Trio, and the Year 9 Flute group performed with confidence and maturity, entertaining the large crowd. Thank you to the parents who allowed their daughters to perform and who transported them to and from the venue. We are most proud of them all.
Lizzie Spencer, Lucie Benz, Louise Mitchell
Music
Adamantem Industry Immersion - Nov 2024
From the 18 to 22 November, we were lucky enough to attend work experience at Adamantem, a finance private equity firm in the CBD. During our time there, we had meetings with members from each department, gaining an insight into the wide variety of career opportunities available in finance.
One highlight included meeting the Responsible Investing team, where we learned about Adamantem’s strong focus on positive environmental and ethical change. We also met with the Chief Financial Officer, getting a great overview of how the company runs, as well team members from Portfolio operations, Legal and Compliance, and Investor Relations.
In addition, we attended team meetings, including “Culture Club”, where the Director of People and Culture gathered feedback from employees on how the company’s culture and employee wellbeing could be improved. We attended an AI training session using Microsoft Copilot and observed an investment committee meeting. During the week, we worked on many tasks around the office, the main one being a research project, which we completed under the guidance of Associates and presented on the last day.
We would like to thank everybody in the Adamantem office for giving us an unforgettable experience. Everyone was very welcoming to us, making us feel at home and always looking for ways we can participate in the daily life of the company. They offered us guidance, finding time to meet with us and assist us, even though the end of the year was a busy time for everyone.
We’d also like to thank them for their advice, since it was very helpful for us in deciding University pathways and possibly pursuing a career in finance. Finally, we’d like to thank Mr Pettit for organising this experience and for giving us this valuable opportunity!
Kate Wu and Freddie Blann
Year 10
Kambala Drama Success
The last couple of weeks have been exciting ones for the Drama Department with students achieving at the highest level in both HSC Drama and the Theatresports Schools Challenge.
HSC Drama student Sophie Scanlon was thrilled to learn that her innovative Individual Project: Set Design, for a production of Friedrich Durrenmatt’s The Visit, was selected for presentation at OnSTAGE, the NESA exhibition of exemplary HSC Drama work, held at the Seymour Centre 8 - 14 February 2025. There are only three Set Design Projects chosen for exhibition in NSW, so Sophie’s selection is an exemplary honour. The HSC Set Design Individual Project is a year-long task that requires students to act as both director and designer, envisaging and creating a unique context for the chosen play.
Congratulations are also due to our amazing Junior Team (Abby Leibman, Laura Washer, Sienna Kirkwood, Ellie-Rose and Hannah Heimans) who performed brilliantly at the Grand Final of the Theatresports Schools Challenge at St Andrew's Cathedral School, achieving equal First with Oakhill College! The girls competed against 7 other teams, mostly from boys' schools, and won due to their wit, word play and improvisational genius. Kambala has only ever had two teams ever get into the Grand Final competition, so to get that far and to win is a massive achievement and testimony to the girls’ skill and grit. Thanks, must also go to 2023-24 Drama Prefect Mia De Oglou and Drama student Lexie Murray, for their ongoing support and encouragement of students in Year 7 and 8 to participate in Theatresports training at Kambala. Their legacy is looking to continue in the passion shown by this talented group of girls.
Ms Lisa Moir
Drama