Senior School 

As we come to the close of what has been a vibrant and fulfilling Term 1, I would like to thank our Kambala community - students, families and staff, for your active participation and shared commitment to school life. 

Having the privilege of working closely with our Senior School students this term, it has been a joy to witness individuals flourish in pursuits that extend beyond their classroom experience. Whether engaging in service initiatives, creative endeavours or working through personal goals, our students have shown a willingness to step into the unknown. 

In this spirit, I would like to offer my encouragement to our Year 7 and Year 8 students as they prepare for their Outdoor Education experiences in Week 1 of Term 2. These programs provide valuable opportunities to build character, foster leadership and engage with the natural world. At Kambala, courage stands as a cornerstone of our values. One of the most powerful expressions of courage, in my view, is captured in Brené Brown’s work on Daring Greatly. She describes courage not as the absence of fear, but as the willingness to show up, to try something new, and to be seen in moments of vulnerability, even in times of uncertainty or unfamiliarity (Brown, 2012). It is this kind of courage that I hope our students can lean into as they prepare for their time away from home.

As we approach the Easter break, we are invited to pause, reflect and embrace the stillness that this time of year offers. The Easter season is one of transformation and renewal, a fitting reflection of the growth we have witnessed across the term. May this holiday bring you and your loved one's rest and the opportunity to connect with one another.

Wishing you all a happy Easter, and a restorative break.

Ms Samantha Gooch 

Deputy Principal - Pastoral Care 

The Winter Uniform Reminder

All students will commence Term 2 in Winter uniform, including the following items purchased from Kambala Outfitters: 

• White shirt 
• Tie
• Skirt (worn knee length) 
• Blue jumper (Years 7-11), Black jumper/ jersey (Year 12)
• Blazer 
• Scarf (optional) 
• Yellow ribbon (Years 7-11), White ribbon (Year 12)
• Panama hat
• School bag (use of other bags to replace the Kambala school bag is not permitted).  

Other

• White socks OR 
• Black tights
• Black shoes.  

A reminder that jewellery is not permitted. 

The Bannockburn Experience

Week 10 saw the inaugural Year 8 cohort of ‘The Bannockburn Experience’ embark on their coeducational academic camp with The Scots College.

The experience falls under our ‘Altius’ program and aims to develop the learning dispositions of humanity in global mindedness, through sustainable farming and rewilding practices and courage in thought leadership, through problem solving and risk taking in a new and exciting environment.

As part of Year 8 Altius, students are also embarking on a thinking curriculum in which they are developing skills in design thinking through problem solving (through Geography and Science fieldwork), creative thinking (in the Arts) and collaborative thinking (through teamwork).

By creating meaningful co-educational experiences, we aim to develop and foster relationships between our students and those of The Scots College over time, both at the Bannockburn campus and in Sydney, in both an academic and experiential setting, creating a partnership that provides multiple meaningful opportunities for our students over their school career.

To kick start the week Kambala students went to The Scots College and experienced a day of specially developed ‘mixer’ activities to facilitate coeducational group bonding, as well as hearing from Mr and Mrs McMaster, who manage Bannockburn, about their regenerative and rewilding practices, under the notion of ‘stewardship of the land’.

Students then embarked on understanding how Science and Geography skills such as water testing, soil profiles and pit trapping can aid us, by providing data that can then be used to guide our stewardship and land management. 

From Tuesday to Thursday, students went to Bannockburn where they used their Science and Geography skills to collect data around water, soil, and ecosystems. They also engaged with workers from WWF to learn about the Quoll rewilding project, and met with Indigenous elders to understand how Mr and Mrs McMaster are working together with them in order to ensure Indigenous practices are utilised on their land. Students also engaged with an apiarist in order to investigate the importance of bees at the Bannockburn site and within the ecosystem.

On Friday students returned to The Scots College to reflect on their learning and compile their data - further investigating how this data can then be used to ensure the future of the Bannockburn site and presenting their ideas and findings to one another. 

Students said of the experience:

“The quolls were intriguing to learn about and when we got to see one it was exhilarating as they were hard to find at night”

“We learnt about data collection and collaboration, but most importantly we learnt how to work with girls, and they kept us responsible”.

“It was really interesting to see how we (boys and girls) have different perspectives on things - we learn in different ways and that was interesting to see”

“I love how holistic the experience was, we got to see how everything in the environment interacts. The site is so pretty, the stars were amazing

A huge ‘thank you’ to both the Kambala and The Scots College staff who developed and executed this wonderful project; it is truly the start of something that gives our students a unique, innovative and future focused experience. 

Ms Freya Campion

Head of Curriculum Experiences

Bannockburn, Medical Health Services Forum and Shakespeare in Hollywood

It was fantastic to hear about the success of the Year 8 Bannockburn co-educational experience with The Scot’s College in Week 10. Despite the wet weather in the lead up to departure, the girls and boys made the most of the opportunities for interdisciplinary learning in Science, Geography and Visual Arts in this unique setting on the South Coast. I would like to thank our Head of Curriculum Experiences, Ms. Campion, for organising this special opportunity for our students, and to Ms. Selinger, Ms. Boshell and Ms. Kite for attending.

The next Bannockburn information session and mixer for Year 8 students will be held on May 29 at Kambala.

The Medical Health Services forum on Wednesday March 26 was well attended by our senior students. It was pleasing to see our girls directly engage with health professionals in such a refreshing format in the library. We would like to convey our gratitude to the many Doctors, Physiotherapists, Nurses, Pharmacists, Radiographers and Medical Students – many of whom are Old Girls – who generously gave their time for our students – and of course, to Future Pathways advisor Mr. Pettit for organising the event. 

I would like to congratulate all the students in Years 7 and 8 who were involved in the production of Shakespeare in Hollywood over the weekend. The girls must be commended for their dedication to the rehearsals in the weeks and months leading up to the performances.  Thank you to Director Ms. Bendall for her leadership and support of the girls.

Term 2: Academic Dates for the Diary

Parent-teacher conferences will continue in Term 2 for Years 7 to 10 on the following dates;

Year 10 – Thursday 12 June

Year 9 – Thursday 8 May

Year 8 – Tuesday 3 June

Year 7 – Thursday 19 June

These conferences provide a summary of your daughter’s progress to begin the year, and we do encourage parents to contact the classroom teacher if they have questions or concerns at any time throughout the year. Conferences times will be available from 4 to 7.30pm on each of these evenings. If you are not able to book a time, please contact your daughter’s classroom teacher to organise an alternative.

Year 10 subject selection process 

Year 10 subject selection evening is scheduled for Tuesday 24 June from 6pm to 8pm. The evening will involve a presentation from academic leaders about the key features of the IB and HSC pathways and we strongly encourage attendance from both students and parents. Afterwards, students will have the opportunity to learn more about each senior subject on offer in an ‘expo’ in the Alexander Hall, where senior teachers will be available to hand out resources and answer questions about the demands of each subject on offer. Students will receive a senior curriculum information guide with further information during Term 2.

Prior to the subject selection evening, Year 10 students will sit the Morrisby careers profile tests on Friday 2 May. Students generally find these tests enjoyable as they involve questions about learning styles, hobbies, interests and personality. Further information will be emailed to Year 10 families prior to the date, but a summary of the test can be found here https://www.morrisby.com/morrisby-profile for those who may be interested.

Mr Sebastien Knox

Acting Deputy Principal - Academic

Sun Safety Work Continues

On April 10th, a group of Year 9 students from Kambala, accompanied by Mr Board and me, will lead an engaging and impactful Sun Safety Workshop at Ascham. This event is a testament to the power of women empowering women, as we continue our sisterhood in leadership initiatives. By fostering knowledge and encouraging proactive health measures, we aim to equip young women with the tools to protect themselves against the harmful effects of sun exposure.

As successfully conducted with the same age group last year at Kambala, this interactive workshop will delve into multiple dimensions of sun safety, blending scientific understanding with practical application. Expert-led discussions and hands-on activities will emphasise the importance of skin protection, challenge common misconceptions, and instil lifelong healthy habits in a way that is both academically rigorous and highly engaging.

An exciting, quickfire trivia session will be based on questions from our ‘Ask Dr. Tong’ initiative, where students previously submitted their sun safety concerns to a dermatologist. In groups, students will compete in an interactive challenge designed to debunk myths and solidify their understanding of sun protection. The competitive, fast-paced format will not only reinforce key learnings but also require collaboration, confidence, and critical thinking.

On the practical side, experts from MakMax will introduce students to the principles of designing effective shade structures in schools and workplaces. This session will demonstrate how science, engineering, and health intersect, showing how innovative infrastructure can play a crucial role in sun safety. Additionally, a nurse from Dermscreen will guide students through a tailored skincare routine, explaining best practices for maintaining healthy skin and preventing sun damage in daily life.

A highlight of the workshop is the VISIA machine, which provides a scientific analysis of skin damage caused by UV exposure. This eye-opening demonstration will allow students to witness firsthand the hidden effects of sun exposure, making the invisible visible, and reinforcing the necessity of daily sun protection and proactive skin care choices.

Beyond the academic and health-focused aspects of this workshop, this event embodies the power of collaboration among young women. By leading this initiative, our Kambala students are not only educating their peers but also strengthening their leadership skills, exemplifying how women can uplift and empower one another through education. To us, this is more than just a workshop, it is a movement of young women taking charge of their health and their future.

We are eagerly anticipating a thought-provoking and inspiring day, one that will leave a lasting impression on every student involved. 

Mr Simon Board

Head of Health and Movement Science

Senior STEM Club Goes to the Arcade!

Every Monday afternoon this term, 13 young gamers have gathered to travel back in time to the 70’s to design, build and program a retro arcade controller to play classic game Asteroids. In collaboration with NexGen CodeCamp students completed simple weekly activities in various areas of 3d Design, 3d printing g code generation, wiring and soldering, video game sound design and simple programming of the controller to communicate with prewritten game code.

Special shout outs have to go to Skye Wells for a pacman and tetris themed controller. Charlie Haffenden and Rosalind Clemens painstakingly designed the sounds of their game to give it personal flair. Jade Croll and Giselle Wheeldon-Steele took the time to design and print multi coloured personalised button labels.

Every student tried their hand at soldering and all were able to complete the button harness eventually and with zero burns or injuries. Georgie Doyle showed great troubleshooting skills testing her controller, identifying the one faulty button and tracing the wiring to the cold solder and fixing the issue all on her own.

Senior STEM club returns next term where we will be building an Internet of Things colour changing lamp that can be controlled over wifi or bluetooth by your phone. All are welcome and more info can be found on the sundial extracurricular page.

Mr Mark Goodwin

Science Lab Manager

Sisterhood Circles

On Thursday morning, the Junior and Senior School came together for the first Sisterhood Circles session of the year—and what an energising morning it was! With students from Years 1 to 12 involved, the event was a celebration of inter-cohort connection, sisterhood, and school spirit.

This year, each Circle met in a designated classroom, allowing for a more focussed and welcoming environment. Year 12 students led the sessions, running fun and meaningful activities that encouraged everyone to connect across year levels. 

A huge thank you goes to all students who participated with such positivity and energy. Staff were especially impressed with the way Senior students stepped up as leaders and role models—proving that sisterhood is truly alive at Kambala.

We’re looking forward to building on this strong start in Term 2, with more sessions and new connection opportunities on the horizon. Stay tuned—and thank you for being part of the Sisterhood!

Miss Olivia McAtamney

Head of Year 12

Kambala's Musical Talent Showcased on 2MBS-FM's "Class Act" 

On Thursday, March 20, renowned radio broadcaster 2MBS-FM paid a visit to Kambala, where producer Stephen Gard recorded an array of talented performers. Featured in the session were Kambala’s Chamber Choir, Chamber Orchestra, and Madrigal Group, alongside outstanding soloists Cacharelle Dan, Linda Ji, Lilian Pack, and Nicola Scarlis.

Mr Gard was deeply impressed by the high calibre of music at Kambala and chose to feature all recorded musicians on the program Class Act, which aired on Saturday, March 29. Music enthusiasts can listen to the broadcast at 2MBS Fine Music Sydney.

Mr Peter Sagar

Performance Studies Coordinator

Focus on Year 7 Pastoral Care

As we hurl towards the end of Term 1 and look forward to slower days during the holidays,  I often consider our Year 7 students at this time as they finish their first term at Senior School. Kambala is a busy place and school life is fast paced but we often forget the transition from Junior School to Senior School is one that is exhausting for our students but is also such a rich, pivotal time. One full of new opportunities and challenges. The books and research from Dr. Lisa Damour informs both educators and parents that the middle school years social dynamics can be tricky, and supporting young people can be a challenge. 

As a school, we recognise this can be true for some students and to ensure that our school is a place of connection and everyone is able to reach their potential, our Year 7 Pastoral Care program dives into the theme of Respect in Sisterhood, amplifying kindness with faith, empathy and heart. The program aims to empower all Year 7 students to recognise and celebrate differences as strengths within their cohort and demonstrate kindness and compassion as a form of power. Year 7 were immersed into the program during their Pastoral Care lesson last week and were encouraged to think of peer relationships like a puzzle, with each person being a unique piece, and when these pieces all fit together, something is created that is strong and complete. 

Head of Year 7, Bronte Foster explained to Year 7, “It’s not just about strength and unity; when the pieces fit, we also create trust, support, and shared experiences. Together, we build a sense of belonging, understanding, and connection that helps us feel valued and heard. A connected group is like a well-organized puzzle—it’s not only stable, but it’s also vibrant, dynamic, and full of potential for growth and positive change.”  

Throughout Term 2, Year 7 will continue this program developing self-awareness and relationship skills. The 4 main areas explored are:

• Demonstrating curiosity and open-mindedness. 
• Recognising and communicating differences in others’ strengths and identities within communities.
• Fostering empathy and inclusivity. 
• Valuing different perspectives and cooperation. 

Year 7 Mentors are key to facilitating this program and provide clear messaging to our Middle Years students that trusted adults can support and model peer relationships as they navigate the changing nature of this time in their youth. The Year 7 camp will also provide an opportunity for students to explore and practice these areas.

Ms Julie Laytham

Head of Student Life

Year 12 English Students Embrace their Writerly Voices

The Year 12 HSC cohort recently participated in an all-day workshop run by the English department in order to prepare them for their study of Module C: The Craft of Writing.

Led by our expert Year 12 English teachers, students began the day with a plenary before rotating between three self-selected workshops that zoomed into an aspect of writerly craft. This initiative enabled students to dive deeply into the nuances of different written forms, including imaginative short stories, discursive essays and reflective writing. 

In these workshops, students learned about the purpose and potential of each form before flexing their own writing skills to experiment with voice, style, structure and language. Furthermore, students were exposed to quality literature that enabled them to track the aesthetic, stylistic features and mechanics of the writer's craft, deconstructing the works of significant writers of our time. 

In the afternoon, students had the opportunity to consider discourses that might inspire their own discursive writing, attending sessions including ‘Banned, Burned and Boycotted: The Books that have been Hidden in History’, and ‘The Flaneuse: Women and Cities’.

Lastly, the day concluded with our resident experienced HSC markers, Ms Horsley and Ms McAtamney, providing insights from the perspective of real HSC makers, sharing tips and tricks with students to make them exam ready. We are fortunate at Kambala to have this expertise and knowledge within our learning community.

Our students rose to the occasion to provide thoughtful reflections, contributed astute insights, and drafted promising pieces of writing which they will continue to refine up until their final HSC exam. 

Ms Greta Beaumont-Kennedy

Head of English

Challenge and Growth

‘Learning occurs at the point of challenge’, research from Dr Ron Richhardt from Harvard University guides this area of our practice as educators. The theme of growth through challenge is one we embrace as staff members and also one which we encourage in our students. At the beginning of Term 2, Years 7 and 8 will embark on their 4-day, 3-night Outdoor Education Experiences. These camps have been designed to provide challenges in different contexts in order for individual growth to occur. During each activity, students practise the necessary skills and apply flexibility and agility to learning. Skills that centre on self as well as those where they will need to collaborate with others. Some of these skills include improved communication, teamwork, problem solving and emotional regulation. 

Each camp requires students to adapt and develop the skills of being agile, then respond effectively to change and unpredictability, all whilst being supported and encouraged by Kambala staff. Experiences that challenge in a variety of  ways including physical, social and emotional challenges, provide our young people with the opportunity for positive social interactions, whilst allowing them to practise emotional development. These opportunities ‘in the moment’ are key to improving a young person’s sense of social connectedness, self-efficacy and self-worth. At Kambala, each Outdoor Education Experiences, in age-appropriate ways, aim to challenge students in a friendly, safe environment with the desired outcome of supporting individuals' growth. All whilst having fun, making memories and strengthening friendships that will last a lifetime.

Ms Julie Laytham

Head of Student Life

Medical Forum Success

A unique experience that has left a lasting impression.

On the 26th of March, Kambala hosted an inspiring Medical Forum designed to help students explore the wide variety of pathways within the medical field. The event brought together an incredible range of professionals including surgeons, dermatologists, GPs, nurses, radiographers, and medical students. Each expert was seated at a different table, and students had the opportunity to rotate around the room, gaining insight from every speaker.

This unique structure allowed us to ask questions in small groups and really understand what each role involved—from clinical work and patient care to the research that drives innovation in medicine. We also learnt about the study journey each professional had taken, including university pathways, specialisations, and work-life balance.

One of the most memorable moments for me was speaking with one of the experienced surgeons, whose honest advice and passion reminded me why I’ve always been drawn to helping others. The forum was incredibly motivating and opened my eyes to career options I hadn’t even considered before.

Events like these are so valuable for students thinking about the future. I hope it becomes a tradition at Kambala—because this experience has truly left a lasting impression.

Jade Derwin

Year 10 - Future Pathways Ambassador 

Parent Volunteers Wanted for Senior School Drama Production: Nice Work If You Can Get It

With the release of our exciting Senior School Production - Nice Work If You Can Get It, the cast, crew and our Drama department would appreciate any help you are able to offer to ensure we have an eventful production both in the lead up to the performances and during production days.

On behalf of Lisa Moir (Head of Drama) and Kambala Events, please CLICK HERE to view the schedule and items where you may be able to assist. 

Areas of assistance include:

Hair and makeup

Front of house

Food and beverage RSA required)

Wardrobe 

Sewing and more!

Mother's Day Stall- purchase gifts for that special someone 

To celebrate this Mother's Day, The Kambala Parents' Association will be selling a beautiful range of gifts suitable for Mothers, Grandmothers or that special someone.

These gifts will be available for your daughter (or son if in Hampshire House) to select during recess and lunchtime at the Tivoli Forecourt on the following days;

Monday 5th May to Wednesday 7th May

Vouchers are $45 each

Please CLICK HERE to purchase your vouchers and the gifts can be selected by your child by presenting the pre-purchased voucher/s at the stall on 5-7 May.

Term 1 Soiree

On Wednesday the 2nd of April, the Term 1 Soirée was held in the performance theatre. Various students from year 7-12 showcased their outstanding performances across a variety of genres, including Linda Ji’s stunning performance of “The Poplar Avenue” by Australian composer Miriam Hyde for piano, and Olly Vassallo’s groovy singing of Heusen’s “Darn That Dream”. The recital was an exciting event, highlighting the amazing talent and efforts of the senior school students. Congratulations and thank you to all performers - the huge effort invested in learning and polishing your pieces was evident! Thank you to the audience, private music tutors and all music staff for your hard work and unwavering support. A final thanks to the evening’s accompanists: Teresa Zhang, Daniel Amalm, Peter Sagar and Heinz Schweers. This thrilling event would not have been possible without your consistent support, dedication and undeniable prowess! 

Lilian Pack

Music Prefect