Senior School
2026 Cape York Immersion
The Trip
In Weeks 5 and 6 of this term, Year 9 students departed the comfort of the Sydney coastline to embark on a deeply transformative adventure: the Red Earth Cultural Immersion Trip to Cape York. While we anticipated the physical distance and the simplicity of camping under the stars, we did not fully realise just how profoundly this experience would shape our worldviews and enrich our understanding of community, history, and self.
This was far more than a conventional school camp; it was an exercise in Humanity in Global-Mindedness. Divided into four separate groups, we ventured out to distinct traditional homelands surrounding Hope Vale in Far North Queensland, stepping onto the sacred lands of the Guugu Yimithirr Nation. Historically composed of 30 family or clan groups, the nation today embraces thirteen remaining clan groups. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly invited to camp on Country. We were not merely passive observers looking in from the outside; we were active participants, experiencing the rhythm of the land and the environment around us.
The heart of this immersion lay in the incredible privilege of sitting down with the Traditional Owners. We spent days learning directly from them, deeply moved by the generosity with which they shared their sacred knowledge. Through a variety of cultural workshops, our Curiosity was sparked. Traditional Owners guided us across their homelands, revealing the incredible utility of endemic flora used for bush medicine, including leaves that function as natural soap and powerful antiseptics for wounds. Our learning journey expanded across multiple facets of local culture:
- Language and Art: We learned local Guugu Yimidhirr words and discovered the deep cultural narratives and meanings intricately woven into traditional artwork.
- Yarning Circles: Every evening, we gathered around the warmth of the campfire, listening to personal stories and navigating the rich, complex history of the First Nations people of this region.
- Living on Country: Through fishing, swimming in pristine waterfalls, and observing daily life, we witnessed the profound, unbreakable connection the people hold with their land.
Another unforgettable highlight was an extraordinary day spent exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Transcending the typical tourist itinerary, we were joined by Aboriginal Guides who shared their unique, generational knowledge of Sea Country. They taught us to view the reef through an invaluable cultural lens, shifting our perspective entirely.
Living simply, sleeping beneath the vast northern sky, and absorbing the wisdom of the Elders allowed us to cultivate true Respect in Sisterhood and community. We did not just forge lifelong memories; we gained an entirely new perspective on what it means to listen deeply to multiple voices.
This immersion has left the Year 9 cohort incredibly curious to continue our learning journey back at school and beyond. Empowered by the challenges we embraced, we return to Kambala ready to demonstrate Courage in Thought Leadership. We are prepared to stand "All In," utilising our voices to communicate with impact and acting as true, dedicated allies to First Nations people.
To the Traditional Owners who welcomed us so gracefully, the dedicated Red Earth team, and the staff members who facilitated this journey, we extend our deepest gratitude. Cape York is a piece of Australia, and a lesson in humanity, that we will carry with us forever.
Savanna Destro and Leyla Saurajen
Year 9
The Prep Work and Proudness
An immersion of this magnitude does not simply begin at the airport gates; rather, it is the culmination of deliberate, long-term pastoral preparation designed to foster deep Curiosity and Humanity in Global-Mindedness. A massive thank you must go to Ms Paige Zavaglia for curating such a rich, intentional pastoral program in the lead-up to this trip, ensuring our girls were both emotionally and intellectually equipped for the profound experiences ahead. Our Year 9 students began preparing for this journey way back in Term 4 of last year, laying the groundwork required to engage authentically with First Nations communities.
At the commencement of this year, our Pastoral Care sessions turned their focus toward the theme of "What Makes Us Strong." Students completed the VIA Character Strengths assessment, a reflective exercise that allowed each girl to identify her unique personal attributes. This self-knowledge empowered them to understand exactly what strengths, whether leadership, perspective, perseverance, or kindness, they could bring to support themselves, their peers, and the homelands they visited.
Following this, the cohort engaged in five targeted preparation sessions:
- ‘The What & The Why’ and ‘The Who & The Where’: Establishing the geographical, historical, and purposeful context of the region.
- Logistics Briefing: A practical session facilitated by the Red Earth staff to prepare for living simply on Country.
- ‘Serving Reciprocally’ and ‘Cultural Protocols’: Unpacking what it means to enter another's homeland with deep Respect, learning to listen to multiple perspectives with an open heart.
As Head of Year, I could not be prouder of how our girls engaged throughout this entire process. They stepped into the challenges of the immersion with immense Courage, embodying the very best of Kambala’s values. Our ultimate hope is that this experience catalyses lasting dispositional learning. The journey does not end with their return; rather, we look forward to seeing how these lessons enrich their personal reflections and, more importantly, how they bring this newfound perspective back to uplift our school community. By practicing Curiosity in Self-Authorship and Courage in Thought Leadership, these students are now uniquely equipped to use their voices to communicate with impact, serving as true allies and leaders.
Jessica Galpin
Head of Year 9
The Showcase
Following the immersion, students and staff gathered for a dedicated day of reflection and celebration. This provided a valuable opportunity to share personal experiences, key insights, and unexpected discoveries, while successfully connecting the hands-on experience to prior learning from the pastoral program.
The day commenced with a collaborative session where students highlighted their proudest moments and areas of personal growth. It was deeply rewarding to hear students share how they had exceeded their own expectations. Later, individual groups reassembled to curate their collective stories, utilising photographs and various materials to create a visual representation of their journey. These creative displays, alongside individual student journals, were then prepared for an exhibition.
The final Showcase served as a wonderful opportunity for groups to present their learning and offer parents, friends, and special guests a meaningful insight into their immersion experience.
The event not only marked the successful conclusion of this year's immersion but also highlighted the lasting impact of experiential learning. As our students return to their regular routines, the insights gained, and connections made will undoubtedly continue to shape their personal and academic growth.
Aimee Negri
Leader of Experiential and Service Learning
Year 7 Expressive Portrait Unit
Year 7 Visual Arts students have recently completed their Expressive Portrait unit.
Throughout this unit, students explored the Archibald Prize, learning about its history, controversies, rules and regulations. They investigated how portraiture can communicate identity, emotion and personal connection.
Students then created their own expressive portrait of someone important in their life, drawing inspiration from the artistic practice and style of an Archibald Prize finalist of their choice.
ClickHERE to view.
Coco Peirce
Visual Arts, Design and Technology Teacher
Partnering with Parents
Schools, parents and carers are essential partners in your daughter’s education. The saying ‘It takes a village’, is supported by research that when families and schools collaborate, young people achieve better overall wellbeing and high academic outcomes.
At Kambala we have partnered with the expert team from ySafe who presented a webinar to our school community to support, in particular, our families with students in Years 4 - 8 in actively engaging with and guiding their children’s online journey. This recording is available on parent facing Sundial pages until Thursday 25 June. There is also the Kambala Online Safety Hub, which has been designed by ySafe to provide cyber safety resources. Aside from these resources provided by ySafe, we also recommend the eSafety Commissioner website, www.esafety.gov.au/parents, which has a vast range of parent webinars, how-to-guides and practical information to support your daughter’s online journey and essential digital citizenship. Should you miss the deadline to watch the ySafe presentation, please see HERE a range of free webinars available to parents in Term 3 from the eSafety Commissioner.
At school, via our Pastoral Care program, your daughter’s Mentor and Head of Year continue to develop your daughter’s digital skills. With the view to support her personal growth, as well develop necessary skills to navigate respectful digital and face to face relationships that enhance our school community.
Julie Laytham
Head of Student Life
Small Acts, Big Impact: The Rose Bay Beach Cleanup
On the morning of June 17th, a dedicated group of approximately 20 Senior School students traded some extra sleep for community service, gathering outside Woolworths at 7:30 am for a local beach cleanup. This initiative, open to all Senior School year groups, saw a fantastic turnout of students from Years 8 through 12 working side-by-side.
Equipped with bags and gloves provided by the Woollahra Council, the group crossed the road to Rose Bay Beach and immediately got to work. Over the course of thirty minutes, the students combed the shoreline, though the task revealed some sobering environmental realities. Many participants expressed surprise at the sheer volume of microplastics mixed into the sand. Furthermore, the group noted a frustrating amount of rubbish floating in the water just out of reach, highlighting the ongoing challenges facing our marine ecosystems.
By 8:00 am, with the beach looking noticeably cleaner, the students wrapped up the collection and walked up to school to begin their regular day.
While a single morning cleanup cannot solve the global issue of plastic pollution, initiatives like this prove that small, localised actions make a genuine difference. They remove immediate waste from our beaches and remind us of our shared responsibility to protect the environment.
A big thank you Ms Gedling, Mr Farr and Ms Toomey and to all the students from Years 9–12 who volunteered their time and effort to look after our local coastline. Woollahra council provided some photos of the local marine life that this type of action helps to protect and a local restoration project that students may be interested in:
Ian Pettit
Future Pathways Advisor
Charting their Paths: University of Sydney
On June 12, our Year 11 and 12 students took a proactive step toward their futures by participating in the University of Sydney Individual Pathway Interviews. Held in the Bain Library, these highly anticipated, optional 15-minute sessions provided our seniors with an invaluable opportunity to engage directly with the USYD team.
This annual visit offers a bespoke experience far removed from standard, one-size-fits-all university presentations.
Personalised Insights and New Horizons
The tailored sessions allowed students to dive deep into their specific areas of interest. The USYD team provided personalised guidance on:
- Specific Courses & Degrees: Clarifying prerequisites, course structures, and major options.
- New Opportunities: Introducing students to cutting-edge programs, scholarship pathways, and global exchange possibilities.
- Future Careers: Helping students map out how their current senior subjects align with their long-term tertiary aspirations.
As a reminder for parents and students, these interviews were purely informational. They were designed to offer clarity and guidance and were not a formal part of the university application process.
It was wonderful to see so many of our Year 11 and 12 students driving their own learning and future planning with such maturity. Thank you to the University of Sydney team for their continued support, and to our students for making the most of this fantastic initiative!
Ian Pettit
Future Pathways Advisor
Increased Truck Movements - New South Head Road (Gate 4) - Major Build
There will be increased truck activity for the Major Build via New South Head Road, outside Gate 4, on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 June.
We expect this to occur throughout the day, including drop-off and pick-up times.
As a result, there may be minor traffic delays.