Senior School 

Celebrating Term 2 2025

As Term 2 draws to a close, it’s a timely moment to celebrate the wide range of student achievements we’ve seen across our school. Whether through academic pursuits, creative performances, sporting successes, leadership initiatives or quiet personal goals, students have demonstrated commitment, growth, and remarkable resilience. The effort poured into assessments, co-curricular commitments, and daily learning is worthy of both recognition and rest.

The forthcoming holiday break offers just that – a valuable opportunity to step back, recharge, and reflect. For Years 7-10 students, rest fuels curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. For our senior students, the balance is more delicate but equally important. While many will use this time to consolidate their understanding, complete practice tasks, and prepare for the challenges ahead, it is also essential they prioritise wellbeing.

We encourage our senior students to plan for both productivity and pause: seek help when needed, access the supports available at school, and schedule time for consolidation and practice,  along with moments to reconnect with friends and family, to laugh, to sleep, to walk the dog and exercise. 

Being kind to oneself is not just a luxury, it’s a necessity. Positive self-talk plays a critical role in building confidence and perseverance, especially in the lead-up to demanding terms. As the term ends, we commend all students for their achievements – big and small – and wish every family a restful, joyful break. 

May this holiday be a chance to reset, return refreshed, and ready for the term ahead. Happy holidays to all.

Ms Carolyn Gedling 

Deputy Principal - Academic 

Ms Samantha Gooch

Deputy Principal - Pastoral Care

Announcing 2025/2026 Prefect Team

We are delighted to announce the 2025/2026 Prefect Team. The selection process this year was marked by an extraordinary number of applications from students in Year 11, each one reflecting courage, integrity and a deep commitment to our community.

To witness so many young women step forward to serve is a powerful testament to the strength of character, confidence and collaboration we strive to foster at our school. We are immensely proud of all who applied; your willingness to lead and contribute speaks to the spirit of sisterhood that underpins a culture that we strive for at Kambala.

To those appointed, congratulations. You now step into roles that will shape and guide the student experience. We look forward to working alongside you.

2025/2026 Prefect Team 

Our Student Executive Visit NSW Government House 

Current Head Prefect Sophie Alexander and Head Boarder Ava Purvis recently represented Kambala at the Secondary Schools Student Leadership Program held at the Parliament of New South Wales. It was a valuable experience in gaining a deeper understanding of our parliamentary system and the responsibilities of civic leadership. 

They also had the opportunity to meet Ms Kellie Sloane MP, Member for Vaucluse, and hear firsthand about the role of local representation in state government.

The day concluded with a guided tour of Government House, where we had the honour of meeting Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales.

Ms Samantha Gooch

Deputy Principal - Pastoral Care

Year 10 Subject Selection Evening

The Year 10 subject selection evening will take place on Tuesday 24 June. Girls are encouraged to attend with their parents/carers. Key academic staff, including Ms. Carolyn Gedling, Mr. Phillip Bird and Mr. Sebastien Knox, will present to the cohort about the key features of the HSC and IB pathways from 6pm in the Music Performance Theatre.

Following that presentation, we will move to the subject selection ‘expo’ in the Alexander Hall. Teachers from each Senior School faculty will be available to answer questions about the 2026 Year 11 subject offerings. In preparation for this event, we recommend that students thoroughly read the subject selection brochure that was distributed to the cohort earlier in the week. The subject selection evening is a great opportunity to ask questions about the content, assessment and level of rigour associated with each subject on offer, as well as where the subject can take you beyond Kambala.

Digital resources will be made available to families who are not able to attend the evening. Students need to enter the first round of subject selections by the end of the first week of the school holidays via the Edval platform.

Year 8 Subject Selection evening

The Year 8 subject selection evening will take place on Thursday, 31 July from 6 to 8pm. It will be of a similar format to the Year 10 subject selection evening. Year 8 students must choose three electives to study in Years 9 and 10. Further information, including the subject selection brochure, will be published to the cohort in early Term 3.

Mr Sebastien Knox

Head of Academic Life

Experiential Learning at Kambala

Over the past seven weeks, our Year 7, 8 and 9 students have embraced a series of Outdoor Education Experiences designed to build resilience, connection, independence, and a deep appreciation for the world around them.

Year 7 

Our Year 7 students spent four days at Vision Valley in Arcadia in May, participating in a range of adventure-based activities that tested their limits and encouraged them to step outside of their comfort zones. Activities such as crate stacking, rock climbing, vertical playpen, mountain biking, and team challenges gave students the opportunity to develop courage, perseverance and cooperation.

Evenings were filled with games and activities that allowed students to continue bonding and build friendships across the year group. The camp provided a meaningful opportunity for students to not only try new things but also develop the important social and emotional skills needed to be away from home.

A sincere thank you to our dedicated staff for their support and encouragement throughout the camp: Ms Bronte Foster, Mr Tim Rollston, Ms Amelia Fleming, Ms Harriet Kesby, Ms Charlotte Plashik, Mr Alex Cheung, Mr Ben Farr, Ms Sarah Nash, Ms Leonie Ricard and Ms Shona Goggin.

Year 8 

Meanwhile, our Year 8 students set off on their own outdoor challenge with Southbound Adventures, spending four nights immersed in nature between Crosslands Reserve and Berowra National Park. Students camped in tents and rotated through different campsites, experiencing the demands and joys of expedition-style living.

Throughout the week, students engaged in a variety of adventurous activities including canoeing, bike riding, rock climbing, flying fox, as well as team-building challenges that required communication and collaboration. A highlight for many was learning to cook independently on a Trangia – a valuable outdoor skill in preparation for future expeditions.

This camp was not only a physical and emotional challenge, but also a stepping stone toward the Year 9 Red Earth Cape York Cultural Immersion next year. Students gained confidence, developed practical camping skills and learnt more about themselves and their peers along the way.

Thank you to the incredible staff who supported and guided our Year 8 students through this experience: Ms Paige Zavaglia, Ms Be Butson, Ms Josie Curtis, Mr Thomas Forrest, Ms Madeleine Streater, Mr Drew Bickford and Me Thomas Israel.

Year 9 

The pinnacle of Kambala’s Outdoor Education journey culminated in the Year 9 students embarking on a transformative 9-day cultural immersion trip facilitated by Red Earth. This unique experience began on Monday 19 May when students flew to Cairns and spent the night before travelling in groups to the Cape York Peninsula.

During their time away, students stayed on two different homelands with Traditional Owners and their families. They participated in cultural activities such as spear throwing, weaving, painting, and damper making, gaining invaluable insight into the Indigenous culture and way of life. Each group also contributed to a community project, assisting with property improvements such as building fences – tangible contributions that deepened their sense of connection and purpose.

The immersion concluded with an unforgettable day trip to the Great Barrier Reef, where students had the chance to snorkel and explore the rich marine biodiversity of the reef while further enriching their understanding of Indigenous connections to land and sea.

On their return to Sydney on Tuesday 27 May, students had a rest day before coming together for a two-day reflection program. Each group created a visual showcase of their journey, which they presented to parents, families, and members of the Kambala community. These powerful presentations captured their growth and learning as a group and as individuals. 

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity represents the culmination of the skills and experiences built over Years 7 and 8, and one we hope will remain with students for many years to come.

Heartfelt thanks to the staff whose unwavering support, leadership and care made this significant trip possible. We acknowledge the generosity of their time, especially in being away from their own families. Thank you to Ms Christine Chronis, Mr Ryan Azzopardi, Ms Katherine Ng, Ms Helen Scevity, Ms Jo Selinger, Taleyah Hippie-Laurie, Destiny Peris, and Kayla Baker-Peris.

We commend all students across Years 7–9 for their courage, engagement, and growth during these outdoor experiences. These opportunities are integral to our commitment to educating the whole student.

Ms Aimee Negri 

Leader of Experiential & Service Learning 

Year 8 Dive into Problem Solving with World of Maths

Earlier this term, our Year 8 students took part in an engaging and hands-on Mathematics incursion run by World of Maths. This exciting event gave students the chance to experience another side of Maths outside the classroom that’s focused on interaction and collaboration.

Working in small groups, students rotated through a series of problem-solving stations, each designed to challenge their thinking and encourage teamwork. From logic puzzles to spatial reasoning and number challenges, every activity was crafted to make students think creatively and apply their mathematical knowledge in new ways.

For many, this incursion changed the way they viewed Mathematics. As Year 8 student Sienna Kirkwood reflected:

“Recently, I was given the opportunity to experience the collaborative side of Mathematics, where I immersed myself in a world of fun activities. We worked in teams of three and rotated through various stations that had a maths and splash of fun added into it …. after this incursion I was let into a world of fun and teamwork - a side of maths that I had never seen before this day.”

Students especially loved the practical challenges that required careful thinking and group communication. One standout favourite was The Farmhouse, which tasked teams with dividing a 6 by 6 grid into equal boxes around a central red square marked “Farmhouse.”

“That really made me think! It was such an immersive experience that everyone would enjoy!” Sienna added.

For others, the opportunity to build everyday problem-solving skills in a fun setting was a highlight. As Ivy Livingstone shared:

“During the World of Maths incursion, my group and I gained and used a lot of skills that helped us solve puzzles, find our way through mazes, figure out the missing number and so much more. We had fun while using our minds collectively to work together in completing challenges. We walked away with a lot more knowledge and skills to help us in our everyday lives and enjoyed every second of it. It was very memorable and a great experience!”

Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive - many commented on how enjoyable the session was and how it helped them see Maths in a new light. In fact, the most common suggestion was that we should bring World of Maths back again next year!

It was a brilliant day of thinking, teamwork and fun - a reminder that Mathematics isn’t just about numbers on a page, but about solving problems, exploring ideas, and working together.

Ms Hattie Wilson

Senior Mathematics

2025 Annual Choral Gala

Last week Kambala held the choral gala which showcased over 200 students from Year 3 to Year 12. This wonderful evening featured performances by the Year 3-4 choir, Year 5-6 choir, Junior Chamber Choir, Senior Choir, Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, Senior Chamber Choir and the Madrigal group. 

All the girls put in an incredible amount of effort, and particular highlights were Senior Chamber Choir’s Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, complete with army hats, Jungle Rhythm by the Year 3-4 choir, and a performance of Best Day of My Life by the Madrigals, which had everyone clapping along. The night finished with all 220 students singing the combined choral item of a medley from Cats. This beautiful arrangement, accompanied by Mr Heinz Schweers, showed off everyone's talents with its playful feel and soaring melodies. I think I can say on behalf of all the senior students that the Junior girls sang beautifully in their solo section of Memory. 

A huge thank you to Mrs Muston, Ms Grace and the incredible Mrs Mitchell, whose wonderful organisation made the night run so smoothly.

Chloe Carman Yr 11

Music Committee

Royal Australian Chemical Institute Titration Competition

Last week Kambala Year 11 and 12 Chemistry students attended the Super laboratory at UTS where they participated in the Royal Australian Chemical Institute Titration Competition. This is an annual competition during which students complete a set of acid-base titrations to determine the unknown concentration of a weak acid. Team's scores depend on the collective accuracy of the work of team members. 

There was intense competition with 52 teams of students from Years 11 and 12, from school across the Sydney region.

Our chemists displayed Curiosity, Courage, and a great deal of respect for one another as they worked in their team of 3 for 90 minutes to analyse 3 samples of acid solutions of unknown concentrations. 

All of our teams performed extremely well and developed some very sophisticated analytical Chemistry skills.

Following the competition, and while the results were being calculated, we heard about Science at UTS and listened to short presentations, and a panel discussion from three undergraduate and PhD students studying at UTS. Hearing about the opportunities to specialise in Biotechnology, Medical, Environmental and Forensic Chemistry.

Our Kambala students commented ”The experience was stressful, but fun and exciting. We really valued being able to experience the university laboratory setting, and to hear from university options from current students, and the areas they are specialising in." 

Please congratulate all the students who participated in the competition. 

Katie Fan, Isabella Feng, Tiffany Kosasih, Ruby Li, Chloe Paleologos, Emma Shih, Vy Vo, Penny Wang, Jerry Wu, Kate Wu.

Ms Judell Johnston

Assistant Head of Science

Kambala Joins Prestigious Careers Convention at Sydney Grammar School

Kambala was honoured to be invited for the first time to the Sydney Schools CareersConvention, hosted by Sydney Grammar School on Monday 2 June. This significant event provided an exciting opportunity for Kambala students and their families to explore a wide range of post-school pathways and connect with leading tertiary education institutions.

Held in the Palladium Building at Sydney Grammar, the Convention featured three key components:

• An Expo in the School Gymnasium showcasing major universities and tertiary education providers,
• A series of faculty-led lectures in the Palladium Theatre, John Vallance Hall, and Alastair Mackerras Theatre, and
• A personalised advising session in the Palladium Classrooms, where careers and university experts offered one-on-one guidance.

Kambala students and parents who attended found the experience both valuable and inspiring. We are proud to have been part of this collaborative initiative and look forward to building an ongoing relationship with Sydney Grammar. Kambala hopes to attend again next year and continue working with Sydney Grammar to support student futures.

Mr Ian Pettit

Future Pathways Advisor