Junior School 

Celebrating a Year of Growth and Achievement in the Junior School

As the year draws to a close, the Kambala Junior School community has recently gathered for two of our most cherished traditions: Carols on Tivoli Lawn, held last Sunday,  and Kambala'sSpeech Day, held earlier today. These celebrations provided the perfect opportunity to reflect on what has been a remarkable year of learning, creativity, and connection.

Throughout 2025, our students have demonstrated exceptional resilience, enthusiasm, and curiosity. They have embraced every opportunity to grow — academically, socially, and emotionally. From classroom projects that sparked new questions to co-curricular activities that revealed hidden talents, the achievements of our students speak to their hard work and the nurturing environment created by our dedicated teachers and staff.

This year has been rich in highlights, with each term offering meaningful experiences that enriched the vibrant culture of our School. Our beloved traditions — the Prep Nativity, Massie House Art Show, and Junior School Open Day — once again brought joy to students, staff, and families. We were also proud to introduce new and innovative initiatives, including the Year 10 and Year 6 UTS Science Mentor Program and the Shadow a Sister Day initiative, both of which helped set our Year 6 students up for future success. None of these experiences would have been possible without the commitment and enthusiasm of our teachers, parents, and the wider Kambala community.

Our sense of community was further strengthened through two very successful “friend-raising” events, the Mothers' Lunch in August and the Father–Daughter Pizza and Games Night in October. These gatherings provided wonderful opportunities for families to connect, build relationships, and celebrate the spirit of belonging that is so central to the Junior School.

As we farewell 2025, we do so with great pride. This year has deepened our connections, strengthened our foundations, and reaffirmed what makes the Junior School such a special place. Our end-of-year events — from the Year 2 Merit Assembly and Year 6 Dinner to the Year 1 Christmas Production and now Carols on Tivoli Lawn, serve as fitting celebrations of our students’ achievements and joyful markers of the year gone by.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed to making 2025 such an inspiring and memorable year. We look forward to welcoming our Kambala Junior School family back in 2026 for another year filled with learning, growth, and joy.

*A reminder that the first day of school for students after the summer break is Friday 30 January 2026.  

*The KPA Welcome Cocktail Party will be held at Kambala from 6.00pm on Friday 30 January 2026 on the Tivoli Forecourt.

Stuart Coppin

Deputy Principal - Head of Junior School

Sundial offline Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 January 2026

As part of our work to enhance the design of the parent-facing pages on Sundial, Sundial will be offline on Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 January 2026.

During this time, some functions within the school app will also be temporarily unavailable.

All Sundial and app functions will resume on Wednesday 14 January 2026.

Rebecca Hambour

Head of Marketing, Communications and Engagement

Year 7, 2026 Orientation Day

We are looking forward to welcoming you and your daughter to the Year 7 Orientation Day on Thursday 29 January 2026. 

Please see below an outline for the day so you can plan your participation.

Thursday 29 January 2026

9.00am - New boarding students arrive at Fernbank House. 

From 10.15am - All Year 7 2026 students and Parents/ Carers arrive (Tivoli Courtyard, outside Music Centre)

• Students to wear full summer uniform. 
• Please have morning tea prior to arrival.
• Students will need their school bag, a pen, a water bottle and lunch. 
• Please note: the canteen will not be operating this day, so please provide a packed lunch for your daughter - except boarders - they will collect lunch from the boarding house).

10.30am  - Parents / Carers Information Session Principal’s Welcome (Alexander Hall)

11.40am - Year 7 Parents / Carers depart 

3.20pm - Year 7 Orientation Day 1 concludes 

• Students dismissed from Tivoli Courtyard (outside the Music Centre)

Friday 30 January 2026

The Year 7 Orientation program will continue on Friday 30 January. All students will return to school on this day. Please note that you and your daughter will receive more information about the full Year 7 Orientation Program on Thursday 29 January 2026.

It is recommended that students arrive for school by 8.00am each day in order to prepare for the 8.20am start. Full Summer uniform is required, and the canteen will be in operation. 

Parents are invited to a Welcome Cocktail Party at 6.00pm on Friday evening hosted by Kambala Parents' Association (KPA).

We look forward to welcoming you to Senior School.

Samantha Gooch

Deputy Principal - Pastoral Care

Number-a-thon

As I write this final newsletter for 2025, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our families and students for their generous support of our St Jude’s Number-a-thon. Each year, this initiative allows us to come together in the spirit of Christmas and giving, and once again our community has risen to the occasion with wonderful enthusiasm.

Thanks to your collective effort, we are delighted to share that we have raised more than $10,900 in support of St Jude’s School in Tanzania. Your generosity will make a meaningful difference to the lives and learning of students who greatly benefit from the opportunities this remarkable school provides, and for this we are truly grateful.

We look forward to announcing the winning House for Number Crunching at our assembly on Friday. To celebrate, we will be hosting a popcorn and movie lunch in the MPR for the winning House Number-Crunchers from Kindergarten to Year 6 at lunchtime on Monday 8 December 2025.

Thank you once again for your participation, spirit, and support, together, we have helped change lives.  We are excited to announce that Kambala has raised close to $130,000 in its support of St Jude’s.  Our Year 11 students have partnered with Sydney Grammar and will be visiting the School of St Judes in September 2026.

Stuart Coppin

Deputy Principal - Head of Junior School

Year 6 Madeline Yu

Year 6 student Madeline Yu has had a busy and successful musical season. Following her 1st place win at the Oz Schools Instrumental Championships State Final, she recently travelled to Melbourne for the National Final and achieved a notable 3rd place in her age group across the string section. This national success follows her exciting participation in the highly competitive Hengqing International Mozart Competition for Young Musicians in September, which drew candidates from 23 countries and is accredited by major international music foundations. 

Madeline was delighted to be shortlisted alongside many students from music conservatories. Additionally, she performed in the open age string competition at the 2025 St. George Eisteddfod, where she secured several awards for her concerto and technique pieces. We congratulate Madeline on her dedication and impressive achievements across these varied and high-calibre events.

Lizzie Spencer

Music

Kambala Outfitters Holiday Opening Hours

Our Outfitters will be open on the below days:

• December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 from 8.00am - 3.30pm
• December 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th ,12th 8am-3.30pm 
• Closed for Christmas Break
• January 19, 20, 21, 22 23 8.00am - 3.30pm (Booking only)
• January 27, 28, (Booking only) then normal opening times 29 and 30 from 7.30-3.45pm

Below is the booking link to make appointments.

To contact Outfitters please call - 9388 6892

https://outfitterskambala.setmore.com/

Class Requests for 2026

Class placements and class lists are announced to families on the morning of the first day of Term 1 each year. Class lists are posted on notice boards in EJ Watt and Massie for girls in readiness for their arrival at school. Parents will also be notified over Sundial of class lists on the first day of Term 1. 

The school has a ‘No Class Request’ policy and thanks families for understanding that we cannot accept requests for teachers and class placements (and for separations also) - factors behind the scenes and educational considerations make these requests impossible to deliver.

Soubeiran Magazine - Digital

As part of Kambala’s 2024–2027 Strategic Plan, we are committed to embedding sustainable practices across all areas of school life. One important step in this journey is the gradual transition from printed to digital publications, including The Soubeiran Magazine.

By reducing printing where possible and embracing digital formats, we aim to minimise our environmental footprint, promote responsible resource use, and ensure our communications are accessible and convenient for our community.

This initiative reflects our shared responsibility to care for the planet and support a more sustainable future for the next generation. 

If you would like to receive a digital copy ONLY of The Soubeiran Magazine, please scan below or click here by 5 December 2025. 

Rebecca Hambour

Head of Marketing, Communications and Engagement