What's happening in Boarding? 

Winter Holiday Adventures

Charlotte (Yr 7) enjoyed going home in the holidays and spending a week in Thredbo with her family. She also had lots of fun visiting Sydney on a shopping trip and spending time with her cousins.

Ellie (Yr 8) had fun during the school holidays visiting Hong Kong. She enjoyed visiting the mall with her friends and watching Inside Out 2 and going wake surfing. 

Jacqui (Yr 8) spent the break in Sydney and on the Gold Coast.  “Visiting Dream World, Movie World and Sea World was a highlight as well as watching Inside Out 2”. 

Caitlyn (Yr 8) went on holiday to Seal Rocks and Jimmy’s Beach. She went four wheel driving on the beach and saw dingos. 

Emily (Yr 9) visited Fiji with her family. “We went swimming, parasailing and on a boat trip snorkelling”. 

Lilly (Yr 9)  represented Kambala in Ski Racing at Perisher, and her team came 4th overall in the competition! Congratulations Lilly! 

Eve (Yr 9) had a lovely time in Phuket. “We went swimming every day at the beach and pool and played on the slides”

“Over the holidays, I went back to Hong Kong and spent time with my friends and family, We often went to the beach and the mountains to reconnect with nature. I made sure to dedicate more time with my brother as he is going off to university in the USA soon!” Jackie (Yr 10)

“Over the holidays I went back to Hong Kong and spent some time with family and friends. I really enjoyed reconnecting with many old friends I hadn't seen in a while. My Mum also surprised me with a girls trip to Japan, this was very special to me since I have never travelled alone with her before. We got to spend some quality bonding time together which made the trip extremely memorable for me.” Rachel (Yr 10)

“During this holiday break, my family travelled to Port Douglas in Queensland for a week to experience the Great Barrier Reef. We were able to enjoy the warm weather by snorkelling, walking along the beach and exploring the hiking trails around the area where we were staying.” Ava (Yr 11)

Hilary (Yr 11) - “I really enjoyed spending time at home. Even if the job was working in a shed with sheep while dragging Ava along for fun!”

Audrey (Yr 12) - “I worked on the farm and on school work the entire holidays. Literally nothing else as Yr 12 Trials start in Week 3”  

Hayley (Yr 12)- “In the holidays, I played rugby for the club my Dad coaches for! I had the best time and loved playing with the team.” 

Kambala Boarders’ see ‘Inside Out 2’ at the Cinema

It was all smiles for the final Rec of Term 2. A popular request from the girls was to see the Movie ‘Inside Out 2.’ And what a wonderful, feel good, family friendly movie it was!

The trip was filled with enthusiasm as the girls enjoyed stocking up at the Candy Bar. The movie itself is a beautiful animation with an engaging storyline that captivated everyone with moments of laughter and heartfelt reflections. 

The outing provided a great opportunity for the girls to bond and share their thoughts on the movie, making it a memorable and enriching experience for all.

Below are six wonderful life lessons from this heart-warming family movie:

1. Don't Put All Your Problems at the Back of Your Mind

Facing your problems head-on is crucial for emotional health. Ignoring or suppressing issues can lead to greater stress and unresolved feelings. It's important to acknowledge and address challenges as they arise.

2. You Are Allowed to Feel All Your Feelings

Emotions are a natural and essential part of being human. Allowing yourself to experience a full range of emotions, including sadness, anger, and joy, is vital for emotional well-being. Each feeling has its purpose and can provide valuable insights into your needs and desires.

3. Don't Change Yourself to Fit In

Authenticity is key to genuine happiness and self-respect. Trying to alter who you are to meet others' expectations can lead to dissatisfaction and a loss of self-identity. Embrace your uniqueness and let others appreciate you for who you truly are.

4. It's Okay to Not Be Perfect

Perfection is an unrealistic and often unattainable goal. Accepting your imperfections and recognizing that mistakes are a part of life can relieve a lot of pressure. Strive for progress, not perfection, and be kind to yourself along the way.

5. Anxiety Is Real but It Shouldn't Control Your Life

Anxiety is a common and manageable condition. While it's a valid emotion, it's important to develop strategies to prevent it from overwhelming your daily life. Seeking support, practising mindfulness, and building healthy coping mechanisms can help keep anxiety in check.

6. Growing Up Changes You and That Is Ok

Change is an inevitable part of growth. As you transition through different stages of life, you will evolve and develop new perspectives. Embrace these changes as opportunities for learning and self-improvement, knowing that growth is a natural and positive process.

These lessons can provide a strong foundation for emotional intelligence and personal growth, resonating with both children and adults.

First Weekend T3:

Kambala Boarders visit the Rocks Markets

Our Kambala Boarders enjoyed a delightful Sunday outing to the Rocks Markets for their first Sunday Rec of Term 3. The group had a lovely walk past the Harbour to the Markets where they explored the Rocks Markets stalls, enjoying the unique variety of items and the lively atmosphere.

No trip to the Rocks would be complete without indulging in some delicious ice cream, and our Boarders certainly enjoyed this sweet treat! With views of the harbour some chose to enjoy a Gelatissimo Gelato, others went for a refreshing Oakberry Acai bowl, all before heading back to School. To top off the day, everyone hopped on a ferry for a scenic ride back home, taking in the stunning sights of Sydney Harbour.

This outing was a wonderful opportunity for our Boarders to bond, explore the city, and create lasting memories. The girls are all excited for the Rec adventures in store in Term 3.

Boarder Birthdays 

It was difficult keeping this surprise from Taylor in Yr 11 - her Mum and sister came down to surprise Taylor to take her out for the whole weekend to celebrate her birthday. She had no idea they were coming and was stunned when they arrived after School.  There were a lot of tears from Mum and Daughter (not to mention Megan our Head Of House may have shed a few tears too who was the facilitator of this fabulous surprise!)

Several Fernbank girls celebrated their birthdays in the holidays and enjoyed their special birthday messages and posters on the day from Megan.  

Happy birthday to Lilli from Yr 10, Hilary, Chloe and Eliza from Yr 11 and a very special Happy 18th birthday celebration to Helen and Lani from Yr 12.

“I turned 18 in the holidays and had a small celebration with friends and family from home. Lizzie Ricardo and Nate Teen from our 2023 Kambala Boarding cohort came, which was really nice to catch up and celebrate my birthday with them”. Kailani Yr 12 

Tivoli Afternoon Rec Activities  

At the end of Term 2, the Tivoli girls attempted a winter tradition of making paper snowflakes with gap student Sophie. While it was a little complicated at first, the girls soon got the hang of it and worked together to each make a section of the snowflake which was then arranged together. The snowflakes looked lovely as winter time decorations in the foyer.

For their final rec activity of Term 2 the Tivoli girls also got hands on and creative with a cookie decorating exercise. The girls had to mix and colour their own icing which led to some very funny results including some not-so aesthetic colours. Others took this very seriously, carefully rationing icing and water to find their perfect icing consistency. Armed with decorative chocolates, lollies and sprinkles, the girls created awesome designs and had the treat of eating their creations at the end. 

Term 3 is here and with it more afternoon Rec! 

We resumed with a woollen bracelet making activity, led by our new gap student Eleanor. The girls worked together and helped each other with the weaving pattern. Before long they were totally engrossed in their bracelets!

The Thursday rec treats of chocolate coated strawberry making was a huge hit, with girls very enthusiastic to eat (and make) these fresh berry treats. 

Staff Updates 

Last term we said farewell to our lovely Gappies - Sophie, Katie and Emma. We loved having them here and the girls will definitely miss them.

We’re very excited to have our new Gap student Eleanor Johnson here with us for 12 months - she is already off to a flying start and the girls and staff are really grateful for her help so far. Eleanor is from Oxford in the UK and has a great friend base in Sydney. She is passionate about Hockey and is looking forward to joining the Kambala Hockey team on the bus to take them to training every Tuesday (made up mostly of our Boarders!).

Saturday Sport 

Unfortunately the final games of Term 2 for Soccer and Hockey were cancelled due to wet weather. Luckily the wet weather didn’t stop Basketball from going ahead, a big congratulations to Amarni in Yr 8 who won her game.

Sadly the first weekend back of Term 3 was a wet one and the year 7’s headed out for their netball game only to find it was cancelled. Soccer and Basketball luckily went ahead. Layla in Yr 9’s soccer match had a close match which sadly ended in a loss. Amarni Yr 8 had a challenging basketball game against SCEGGS. 

Hockey went ahead regardless of the weather and our girls played brilliantly. They scored just on full time to make it a draw 2-2 to Loreto Normanhurst! Loreto has a few standout  players in their team, however our Kambala team (made up mostly of Boarders) play so well together as a team. They went up a division and played tactically on the day! As usual the girls had a great time and loved having their parents there on the day to cheer them on.

On Saturday Netball resumed for term 3. Unfortunately, the weather resulted in the cancellation of the first two rounds of play, however the noon round went ahead with five of our boarding girls playing across 4 different teams. Mrs Andrew was at the courts to watch all the teams and her daughter Makenzie is playing in the same team as Emily and Eva in Yr 9. Teams played two half games as a catch up on previous games postponed due to weather and the results were a mixture of wins and losses, but more importantly the girls were happy to connect with their teammates and be active on a stormy Saturday.

Events 

At the end of Term 2, Layla from Yr 9 had an amazing experience attending her Yalari camp. The biggest highlight for Layla was getting to walk around Uluru. 

On the final Wednesday of term, the Boarders had their end of term Battle of the Houses Games Night. The girls did an amazing job playing Dodgeball and dancing their hearts out doing Just Dance. Bandler and Scott house were tough competition for Vida and Franklin with an even score of 2-2. A tie breaker was announced, with our departing gaps Sophie, Emma and Katie as judges to decide the overall winner based on their dance moves. A huge congratulations to Vida and Franklin for winning the competition. We had some impressive MVP's from either side, including Tivoli’s Amarni and Fernbank’s Polly who held their own in the Dodgeball competition. Some special mentions were made for some pro dancers in the crowd, Alicia, Frankie, Zanna and Poppy who were amazing stand outs. Following the competition, Megan had thoughtfully hosted a prize giving ceremony to congratulate everyone on their efforts. This was followed by celebrating the end of term by watching the State of Origin. 

In Term 2, our Year 7 boarders Sonya and Isabelle had a fun Mandarin excursion to CoCo in Chatswood for a bubble tea making workshop. They each were split into groups and created their own flavours. Afterwards, they designed their own Chinese style fans. Isabelle’s one is featured here. 

To mark the beginning of Term 3, both boarding houses came together for formal dinner. Principal Ms Danvers welcomed the girls back from holidays and Mrs Andrew and her family to the Boarding community

Head Boarders Lani and Audrey said a few words, expressing their excitement for the new term ahead. They brought the group together in prayer to express gratitude for the meal and the friends they get to share it with in boarding.

After a delicious pasta meal, Ms Sarmiento led a post-it note activity which got the girls reflecting on their time away as well as the coming term. The first question was to describe their holiday using the name of a TV show or movie. Some examples were  “Confessions of a Shopaholic” or “Inside Out”. Next, the girls were asked which superpower they wish they could bring to boarding. Some of the answers were a “photographic memory” to help remember school work, and “telepathy” to secretly communicate amongst friends. 

Friday July 26 marked Kambala’s 137th birthday. A special outdoor assembly took place on the Tivoli lawn followed by lots of birthday cake for students and staff. The day ended with a very special assembly for the outgoing 2023/2024 Prefects and a wonderful introduction of the incoming 2024/2025 Prefects followed by a special afternoon tea in the Drawing Room with the Prefect parents. We are so proud to have so many current Yr 11 Boarders as part of the Kambala 2024/2025 Prefect team. A very big special thank you to Lani (Head Boarder) and Audrey (Deputy Head Boarder) for everything they have contributed to the Boarding House and for their warmth and support and sisterhood they have fostered with all our Boarding girls and staff. It’s time to hand the baton over to Ava (Head Boarder) and Hilary (Deputy Head Boarder) - we are looking forward to having them lead us into 2025 and our wonderful new and exciting chapter in Kambala Boarding.

Where are they now? 

Angela Ye - 2023 Yr 12 Kambala Boarding Graduate

What was your favourite memory from your time in boarding? 

One of my favourite memories from my time in boarding was our weekend outing to Luna Park in my first year. Apart from the wonderful food and great rides, it was such a memorable experience for me because it was a valuable opportunity for the boarding community to bond and become closer to one another. As a new student who had just joined Kambala, I met many of my closest friends on this trip and it really made me feel welcomed into the boarding community.

What have you been doing since finishing at Kambala? 

Following my graduation from Kambala, I first returned to my home in Guangzhou, China. It was incredibly great to spend lots of quality time with my family, especially my mother. Subsequently, I went on a graduation trip to Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Japan with my friends from Kambala. This graduation trip was incredibly fun and memorable. Afterwards, I returned to my hometown in China to visit my grandparents.

In the months after graduation, I have received offers from a range of universities such as Imperial College London, University College London, National University of Singapore, Hong Kong University, and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. After careful consideration, I have decided to attend Hong Kong University, majoring in Law and Business Administration. 

What are you currently doing? 

Currently, I am gaining practical experience in the workplace by interning at a prestigious law firm in Guangzhou, China. This experience has been both exciting and challenging, providing me with the opportunity to gain valuable experience such as legal research, communication with clients, and drafting legal documents.  Additionally, I am learning Cantonese to prepare for my upcoming studies at Hong Kong University. Being proficient in Cantonese is important and will not only enhance my university life but also is important for my future career development in Hong Kong. On the weekends, I have been going out with friends, playing piano, and going to the gym.

You are applying for Hong Kong University’s Residential College St John’s College. How is that process going?

I am going to Hong Kong University this year and I am applying for the university’s most prestigious Residential College, St John's College. The admissions process is extremely selective, as they are looking for students who are not only top achievers in academics, but also excel in extracurricular activities such as sports and music. I have been fortunate enough to be invited to an interview, which is taking place soon. 

How do you feel your time at Kambala has helped you as an Adult?

Academically, Kambala provides its students with high quality Teachers and facilities which helped me reach my potential. I am especially glad that Kambala has the IB curriculum, which has given me a solid foundation across a diverse array of subjects. This rigorous course, although incredibly difficult, has prepared me well for University and has allowed me to develop strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. 

Beyond academics, Kambala offered me abundant extracurricular opportunities and provided wonderful facilities, allowing me to thrive in sports and music. Most significantly, Kambala’s music festival really allowed me to shine through my musical skills as well as develop in areas such as communication and leadership. The experience was invaluable as it had a significant impact on my personality, and will continue to impact me in the 

future. Additionally, spending time in Kambala’s Boarding community was instrumental in developing my  communication and social skills. I believe by developing these qualities, Kambala has made me a much more well-rounded person and it will allow me to thrive wherever I go. 

What we are reading…. 

Caitlyn Cardno - Once by Morris Gleitzman 

“Once is set during World War II, it’s about a boy called Felix who lives in an orphanage and is waiting for his parents to come back for him, but he doesn’t realise that there’s a war going on outside”.

Prep - Ms Sarmiento - Deputy Principal - Wellbeing

In Tivoli, the final week of term was still busy for some girls as they worked on final assessments for the term. Year 9 worked on finalising their ‘still life’ photography assessment. Year 8 were busy preparing for their final in class Maths test for the term and putting the finishing touches on their Minecraft stories for technology. 

This week, the Year 9’s have been diligently working on their creative writing and reflective pieces for English. Year 7’s have been working hard on Maths homework.

Part of our Prep schedule is the inclusion of tutors from A-Team Tutoring every Monday and Wednesday evening. We encourage every Student to make use of this service, not only for homework and assessment help but also help with study routines and building healthy learning habits. Years 7-10 benefits from 3 tutors in the library and Year 11 and 12 also have their own tutor who visit Fernbank.

Setting learning goals for each subject for the term ahead will be important as we head into the second half of the year. However, a greater focus should be in the creation of small habits that are the actions that lead to the goal. Parents can help by discussing habits along with goals to shape a more active learning attitude.

Please refer to the Assessment Schedule shared at the beginning of term for an outline of tasks coming up. 

Quote of the week 

"Why is there a rat” - Watching State Of Origin and screaming at the top of her lungs when a dirt patch looked too familiar to her (Layla Year 9)