Senior School 

The Power of Belonging

Belongingness is something that is part of the human condition - it is an emotional need. We strive to know and feel that we are accepted and can contribute and have purpose within a group. We understand that this is such an integral part of being a girl and knowing that you can be part of something greater than ourselves.

We have seen so many great examples of this over the last two weeks. 

Year 11s have worked together as a cohort and in small groups to understand how our values can be felt, seen and heard in action and what this means for their collective leadership. They have also undertaken workshops in understanding key skills in recognising and responding to microaggressions, learning about circles of influence and concern, and building on foundational skills in positive relationship building. All these are important areas to name and navigate and facilitate learning together to have a shared language and understanding. 

House competition really shone this year. Our Year 12 leadership team and the cohort have really risen to the rally cry of creating a sense of belonging. The day before our swimming carnival, Houses practiced and presented their house spirit to Principal Danvers. To see the joy and passion on these faces as each House screamed and banged their chants to deliver excitement and readiness for the next day was quite something. This spilled over the next day to a swimming carnival that delivered in triumph for house spirit and belonging. Their joy was and visible passion on the deck and in the stands for each House. Let’s not forget the boarders in PINK. What a great display of enthusiasm and sisterhood! - together they are mighty and really showed the day girls their camaraderie is immense.

In boarding we have also celebrated Lunar New Year and Galentine’s Day at one of our formal dinners. With some help from Melinda in Events and the wonderful KPA representatives Cathie Wu and July Cao and our Year 12 boarder Angie Zhang we created a wonderful Lunar New Year celebration with a focus on friendship and sisterhood.

Our Boarding IN Weekend for Term 1 was a great hit with girls coming together to share in creative and passionate pursuits along with a bit of fun. Friday night we came together to create our Boarders’ Tie-dye T-Shirt along with fun games on the oval before the storm got in the way. We then settled into a movie with the two houses coming together to enjoy popcorn and lollies on the big screen in the Hall. Saturday was as always busy with boarders supporting the school in their sporting teams and they returned hot and tired ready for a quick rest before we headed to the pool for a cool down and pool party - this was enjoyed by all and a great opportunity for us to host our own mini-carnival with some relays and pool volleyball along with a bit of splash fun with the inflatables. Saturday night the girls unleashed their creativity again with dress-ups for the Rave Cave. Best outfits were voted for and a dance-off under the flashing lights of the Hall was really special. Sunday after a great brunch delivered by Chef Anne, we left via the ferry on the harbour to Luna Park. Fun and frivolity ensured great connections and friendships being cemented, which is particularly important for our new girls and their belongingness in boarding. What a great fortnight!

Mrs Joanne Sarmiento

Deputy Principal - Wellbeing and Boarding

Hello from your friendly School Counselling team!

It has been an absolute joy watching our Kambala community come back together over the past few weeks and transition into the year ahead. The School Counselling team has been involved across a range of cohort activities to support students to start the year strong and thrive academically and pastorally. 

We welcomed back our wonderful Year 12s on their first day and discussed how to befriend stress and manage challenges in the coming year, while still celebrating moments of connection and joy. We then enjoyed an afternoon with the new Year 7 cohort practicing strength spotting and thinking about how the many and varied strengths of this group will help them thrive in their high school years. Finally, we connected with the incoming Year 11 cohort to discuss relationship building skills and navigating changing relationships in their senior school years. 

We’ve also had some transition of our own with two fantastic new psychologists starting with us this year. Phoebe has come to us from the non-profit out-of-home care sector where she worked with vulnerable children and Radha has joined us from child and adolescent private practice and has worked in international schools for many years. We are so excited to support the Kambala community and watch you all thrive in 2024!

Ms Catriona Daly

Head of Counselling

Lunar New Year 

During Weeks 2 and 3 of Term 1 this year, the Cultural and Global Connections Committee organised a series of exciting festivities to foster cross-cultural understanding and to celebrate LNY within our Kambala community. We began our celebrations with a LNY assembly, where senior students beautifully performed on the violin a traditional Chinese piece named “Pastoral” by Sha Hankun. 

One of the time-honoured customs of LNY is to decorate both the home and workplace with red ornaments and calligraphy proclaiming new year messages written on pieces of red paper. To honour this tradition, we held a student-led calligraphy workshop which was enthusiastically attended by over 50 students. Students immersed themselves in this traditional art form and wrote phrases that symbolised good fortune and prosperity for this year. Naturally, LNY celebrations would not be complete without a new year feast, so we organised a food fair held on the oval, where students and staff were able to indulge in Chinese, Malaysian and Korean delicacies. 

We were also able to involve the Junior school in the celebrations and cross-cultural experience. We introduced the girls to the legend of the “Chinese Zodiac Race”. Along with this, we hung up zodiac fortune-telling posters around the junior school for students to see their predictions for the year ahead. Last but certainly not least, a hallmark celebration of LNY - a traditional lion dance – was held at the school. It was great to see the students get into the spirit of the celebrations, with many dressed up in lion and dragon costumes. Our thanks to the Kambala Parents Association for kindly sponsoring the lion dance as well as for the yummy fortune cookies that were handed out to all the girls on the day.

As we celebrate this joyous occasion, let us cherish the diversity of our community and the richness of traditions that unite us all in the spirit of Lunar New Year.  

Megan Tong - Year 12

2023/2024 Cultural and Global Connections Prefect 

A Leap into the World of Motion: Math's in Motion Day for Year 12 extension Mathematics.

Last week, our Year 12 Extension Mathematics students embarked on an exhilarating journey of discovery during the much-anticipated Math's in Motion Day. A day dedicated to unravelling the complexities of displacement, velocity, and acceleration, it was a perfect amalgamation of theory and practical application, aimed at solidifying the students' understanding before they tackle the rigorous demands of their HSC.

The event kicked off with an interactive session that introduced students to the foundational concepts of motion. Utilizing physics motion carts, the young mathematicians experienced firsthand the nuances of displacement, velocity, and acceleration. This hands-on approach was instrumental in addressing common misconceptions, such as the distinction between the decreasing velocity of an object and its increasing speed, providing a clearer understanding of the principles at play.

As the day progressed, the students were adeptly moved between mathematical and graphical representations of motion. This transition was not just about changing formats but about deepening their comprehension through the visualization of abstract concepts. Working in teams, they collaborated to solve complex problems, embodying the spirit of unity and collective inquiry. However, the day also carved out moments for independent study, challenging each student to apply their learning autonomously, a crucial skill for their upcoming HSC examinations.

The significance of Math's in Motion Day transcends beyond the immediate curriculum, laying the groundwork for our students' future exploration into more complex topics within mechanics, such as projectile motion. This initiative is a cornerstone in preparing our Extension Mathematics students for the sophisticated concepts they will encounter, ensuring they possess a robust understanding and are well-prepared for their academic journey ahead.

Moving forward, the Maths Faculty is enthusiastic about not only hosting more events like Maths in Motion Day but also adapting this model to cater to the needs of IB and HSC Mathematics Advanced students who delve into the study of motion. This commitment ensures that all our students benefit from engaging, practical experiences that enhance their understanding and appreciation of mathematics in real-world contexts.

The journey through mathematics is an ongoing exploration of the world around us. With initiatives like Math's in Motion Day, the Maths Faculty is committed to providing our students with the tools and opportunities to navigate this journey with confidence, curiosity, and a deepened understanding of complex concepts.

Mr Andy Greasley

Mathematics

Cultivating Cultural Appreciation: Kambala's Paideia Club Expands Students' Horizons with Fran Lebowitz

Kambala's Paideia club endeavours to cultivate lifelong learners by offering students opt-in opportunities to engage in cultural experiences, including theatrical productions, artistic and dramatic exhibitions, cross-cultural events, lectures, films, and festivals across Sydney.

On the evening of February 13th, a group of 26 Kambala students, accompanied by Ms. Danvers, Ms. Horsley, Ms. Walsh, and Ms. Cheruvu, attended an event at the Sydney Opera House featuring the renowned American satirist and orator, Fran Lebowitz.

Despite being frequently portrayed in the media as grumpy and curmudgeonly, Lebowitz was quite the opposite - she was in fine form, engaging, and talkative. When asked about her fixation on telling the truth, she responded, "I'm not sure, but it's centrally important." Lebowitz entertained the students with witty remarks, such as "I'm not worried about artificial intelligence. I'm worried about the lack of human intelligence," and "We're so concerned these days with what we think, but not what we do. We have all these people without homes, and we're concerned about what to call them." Her perspective, rooted in self-awareness and confidence, imparted valuable insights to all present.

This recent visit to see Fran Lebowitz is just one of the many events offered to students in Years 9-12, with the aim of fostering an appreciation for culture in Sydney. Upcoming events include:

Sydney Theatre Company's production of "RBG: Of Many, of One," focusing on Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a trailblazer in the American judiciary and a fierce advocate for gender equality and reproductive rights. 55 students will be attending.

The Theatre Royale's production of "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller, offering a compassionate insight into the life of a family facing shattered dreams, and a compelling call to cherish the present moment.

The Sydney Opera House's "All About Women," a talks festival centering on gender, justice, and equality, held annually during the week of International Women's Day.

The Theatre Royale's musical production of "The Lehman Trilogy," depicting the rise and fall of the Lehman Brothers, which culminated in the largest financial crisis in history.

For those interested in any of these events, please stay connected with Student News to sign up via Google Forms or contact Ms. Himmi Cheruvu at himmi_cheruvu@kambala.nsw.edu.au.

Ms Himmi Cheruvu

English

The Young Composer Project

This Semester 1 project involves elective music students from Year 9 to 12, with a Term 1 focus on instrumental art music and a Term 2 focus on digital music (Rock or Film Music). On the 8th of February, the seventy Years 9-10 students and all Years 11-12 Music 2 and IB Music students were involved in the first Young Composer Workshop with visiting professional instrumentalists. A range of solo and chamber works were played for us to suggest musical ideas and inspire the creative impulse. Students also engaged in improvisatory composition activities and received advice about compositional techniques and processes.

The incursion was invaluable to our young composers. Year 9-10 will hear their compositions premiered when the performers return at the end of Term 1. Years 11 and 12 will have their developing compositions workshopped throughout the year before being recorded and performed at the Young Composers Showcase in Term 3.

Thank you to Mr Grandison and the visiting musicians for their guidance and wonderful playing!

Alana Zhou -Year 12

Music Prefect

The Advocacy Committee Living our School Values

Amplifying Humanity and Respect are the main aims of the Advocacy Committee and on February 9th, a Senior School Second Hand Uniform Fundraiser was organised and run by the committee offering an array of uniform items. Everything was sold for $5, and the total amount raised was $546! All the proceeds are going to St Nicholas’ Mission Academy in Ghana which is co-founded by Kambala Old Girl, Anais Menounos who continues to live our school values. Thank you to all the committee members for your help in preparing and organising the fundraiser. Similarly, thank you to our peers who made a purchase on the day. All of your donations are appreciated and going to a great cause.

Zoe Richardson - Year 12

Advocacy Prefect

Congratulations Trinity Communications Skills Students of 2023.

In Term 2 of 2023 Kambala launched the Trinity Communications Skills (Individual) Course & Exam for the first time in its Public Speaking history. 

Two very dedicated and phenomenal Public Speaking students from our program were chosen to trial this course and exam. These two students were Elektra Kostas (current Year 12, in Year 11 at time of Trinity exam) and Bonnie Zheng (current Year 11, in Year 10 at time of Trinity exam). Both students completed the highest Grade (Grade 8) of the exam, whereby their tasks were as follows: 

Task 1: Students were to create and perform a presentation on a social issue of importance, of which their presentations were followed up by a lengthy inquisition on alternative points of view to perspectives drawn from their work

Task 2: Students were presented with an unseen advertisement of which they were required to critically analyse and discuss the tools used to reach targeted audiences, before evaluating their effectiveness  

Task 3: The examiner presented students with a social & political issue of our current climate and students were required to cohesively present and justify their viewpoints on the situation with supporting examples 

We are pleased to announce that both Bonnie and Elektra did exceptionally well, with both achieving the top band in the exam (Distinction). We congratulate Elektra and Bonnie on their incredible performances in this prestigious and challenging course, as well as the countless hours of practice and research both dedicated to preparing for their exams. Congratulations Bonnie and Elektra! 

Ms Victoria Tsingos

Public Speaking

Connection at Kambala

The aim of the Wellbeing Committee this term is to have small moments of ‘wellbeing’ every fortnight so that students and staff can all easily engage with a moment of ‘wellness’ in order to assist us all to feel well and in turn function well. With Valentine’s Day last week, the 14 February provides an opportunity to express our appreciation for a loved one. The Wellbeing Committee wanted to live into our portfolio meaning as well as the school value of Humanity and use this special day to show how appreciated our School community is. On Thursday 15 and Friday 15 February, students in Years 7 - 12 had the opportunity to write messages of thanks, friendship, joy and kindness to their peers and teachers during morning mentor sessions. An important moment to connect not only in writing these notes, but also as our community walked by and read these messages throughout the day as they highlighted the number of ways that our School shows up and supports each other everyday. Just like our Valentine’s Day activity, students will be invited to join in more moments to reflect and connect in the term ahead. 

Zoe Beattie - Year 12

Wellbeing Prefect

International Women's Day Breakfast

We look forward to welcoming two current parents Vanessa Lenthall and Amanda Laing who are guest speakers at our International Women's Day Breakfast at Kambala on 8 March. 

Vanessa holds the role of Global Head of Mining and Energy Finance for the Commodities and Global Markets Group at Macquarie Bank. Amanda is Chief Commercial and Content Officer for Foxtel Group and Managing Director of BINGE. It will be an insightful morning and we look forward to them sharing their wisdom with our current parents and daughters from Years 6 - 12.