The Solstice

Senior School 

Have you moved, or are moving?

We need to know your change of address to ensure our records are up to date. This also ensures you receive your copy of The Soubeiran Magazine and other postal correspondence from the school.

 

Please update your addresshere - please be aware this can only be done on a lap top or desk top - changes cannot be made on a mobile phone.

Who's got Spirit? We sure do!

House participation in the coming weeks:

 

Our school has been alive with House Spirit with various carnivals and events bringing out passion and a strong sense of House patriotism amongst our students.  

 

Congratulations to Hawthorne House for their achievement in winning the Swimming carnival. They were not the only victors on the day of course; this year we were so proud to see one of the highest levels of participation at a swimming carnival. Thank you to our Year 12 students who modelled courage and team spirit for all students, encouraging everyone to “have a go for your house” in the pool. 

 

Our House Ra Ra was a loud and energetic run-up to our Term 1 carnivals. Roseby took the prize for best house cheer squad, earning spirit points toward the Angus Cup. 

 

We are however saving our voices for the House Music Festival, (one of) my favourite calendar events at Kambala. Rehearsals have begun and in visiting each House choir this week, I can assure you that it will be an evening not to be missed. We are always astounded that the House choirs and instrumental pieces are entirely student-led, a wonderful showcase of the skill and capacity of our students here. 

 

What I love about our House System is the sense of community and belonging it affords all members of our school. It is quite remarkable to see teachers dressing up in fluorescent green wigs on carnival days, our youngest students attending before school Theatre Sports practice, and Year 12s rewriting verses of their favourite songs to cheer along their friends at our carnivals. 

 

Our parents too, love to get involved, and I encourage you to get amongst the energy and enthusiasm our student body radiates at this time. We are looking forward to sharing these special moments with you, be it the Cross Country this Wednesday 26 March, or the House Music Festival on Sunday 16 March… we hope that you can join us. 

 

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A letter detailing House Music Festival Arrangements for Sunday 16 March 2025 will be published this week. Thank you for your close attention to these logistical details.

 

A reminder that Monday 17 March 2025 is a student-free day for the Senior School - with compulsory participation for students on the rehearsal day and performance evening, Sunday 16 March 2025. 

 

Ms Samantha Gooch

Deputy Principal - Pastoral Care

2025 Prefect Induction Service

On Friday 13 February, the Kambala Prefects had the incredible privilege of attending a special service at St Andrew’s Church. Student leaders from Sydney Anglican schools came together and had the opportunity to listen to an inspiring address given by the Archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, which centred around the profound importance of service to the community. 

 

This experience reinforced the values of leadership, responsibility and community engagement. Being part of this event was a true honour, allowing us to reflect on what it truly means to serve as young leaders. The knowledge shared encouraged us to lead with compassion and integrity, reminding us that leadership is not just about authority but uplifting and supporting those around us. It was a powerful reminder that small acts of service can create a lasting impact, and we are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such an inspiring event.

 

Emma Antico

Deputy Head Prefect

 

HSC Biology - Kickstart Workshops

On Monday 10 Feb the Year 12 HSC Biology classes visited the University of Sydney where they attended two workshops related to our work being done at school.

 

During these workshops students were able to get a real university experience by using the lab spaces and equipment that are used in undergraduate genetics and biotechnology courses.

 

In Workshop 1 students investigated the genetic cause of Sickle Cell Anaemia. Their task was to determine if a child had inherited the disease trait from their parents. Students created and interpreted DNA profiles of the child and parents in order to answer this question. Practical activities included DNA extraction from strawberries, a Polymerase Chain Reaction activity, a paper-based restriction enzyme digest, gel electrophoresis and gel visualisation.

 

Workshop 2 involved students learning about applications of biotechnology in industry, agriculture and medicine. Students successfully used restriction enzyme digests and bacterial transformation techniques to create transgenic bacteria capable of producing a useful protein originally made by coral. Students then extracted and purified the protein sample and used spectrophotometry to measure the yield. 

 

This valuable learning experience provided foundational work to prepare students for their Depth Study assessment task that they will be carrying out later this term.

 

Ms Nikki McDonald

Science

 

"You've Gotta Be There" - Nice Work If You Can Get It - Ticket Sales!

The Kambala cast and crew of Nice Work If You Can Get It, have been busily rehearsing and we can’t wait to present the show to the Kambala community. Featuring the talents of Coco Manovel and Ellie-Rose Heimans as Billie Bendix, Elle Dlugosz as Eileen Evergreen, Milla Sleijpen as Estonia Dulworth, Annabelle Shepherd as Jeannie Muldoon, Annabel Rowney as Chief Berry and Bella Stillone as Millicent Winter, and supported by a stunning dancing and singing Ensemble- the singing of Gershwin’s most famous tunes is sounding sublime and the dancing on fire.

 

About the play…

 

It is the Prohibition era, and Billie, the female bootlegger, is secretly storing 400 crates of gin in a Long Island beach house, owned by Jimmy’s mother. In the meantime, Jimmy is about to get married for the fourth time, but the playboy’s new fascination with Billie means that his best laid plans are going awry. Joe DiPietro’s book for the musical Nice Work If You Can Get It is a tribute to romantic comedies of the Hollywood Golden Age. Thoroughly frivolous and undoubtedly fun, the story is constructed around the fabulous songs of George and Ira Gershwin. The musical adheres completely to the original template of twenties musicals by combining daffy comedy, screwball characters, jazzy dance numbers and the occasional tender ballad.

 

Featuring popular Gershwin songs: Nice Work If You Can Get It, Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off, Someone To Watch Over Me, Fascinating Rhythm, S’ Wonderful, But Not for Me,  I’ve Got a Crush on You and more.

 

Save the date! Nice Work If You Can Get It will be performed in Alexander Hall, from 15-18  May, 2025. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday 19 March. Don’t miss out on securing a cabaret table for the family!

 

Winner! Two 2012 Tony Awards Nominee: Ten 2012 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical Winner! Three 2012 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Book of a Musical.

 

Ms Lisa Moir

Drama

 

Sisterhood Beyond School

On Friday, 21st February, Mr Ian Pettit, Kambala's Future Pathways Advisor, attended the UNSW Careers Advisors Conference, where he had the opportunity to reconnect with former Kambala students now thriving at UNSW. With UNSW climbing the QS World University Rankings to be among the top 20 globally and recognised as the leading Australian university for startup founders, it’s no surprise that an increasing number of Kambala graduates are choosing it as their academic home.

 

While attending the conference, Mr Pettit met with a group of Kambala alumni who are now pursuing degrees at UNSW. “It was terrific to see the girls supporting each other and sharing their university experiences,” said Mr Pettit. “The sisterhood is alive and well at UNSW.”

 

The strong bonds formed at Kambala extend beyond graduation, creating a network of support that helps young women navigate university life and beyond. Mr Pettit is keen to foster these connections further. “I enjoy connecting current students with alumni and am working on a pilot student-alumni mentor program for the current Year 11 cohort,” he shared.

Pictured in the photo from left to right:

  • Mr Ian Pettit, Kambala Future Pathways Advisor
  • Audrey Hidayat (OG’22) – Computer Science and Commerce (Finance)
  • Leora Shafransky (OG’23) – Physiotherapy
  • Alana Zhou (OG’24) – Medicine
  • Nadine Galambos (OG’24) – Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Medicine/Master of Pharmacy
  • Matina Theodorou (OG’24) – Law/PPE
  • Georgina O’Sullivan (OG’21) – 3rd Year Medical Science (Elite Athlete Program, took a gap year)
  • Stella Rafeletos (OG’21) – Medicine (Initially studied Occupational Therapy, sat the UCAT multiple times before securing her place in Medicine in 2024)

The event reinforced the importance of staying connected after leaving school, with alumni offering guidance, encouragement, and insight to one another. Kambala’s strong tradition of sisterhood continues to flourish, proving that friendships and mentorships don’t end at graduation—they only grow stronger.

 

Mr Ian Pettit

Future Pathways Officer

 

ySafe Cyber Safety Education Session for Parents of Year 5 - Year 8 Students - Wednesday 26 March 2025 - 6.30pm

Please CLICK HERE to register for the Webinar.