Senior School 

Shaping the Term Ahead

Our new term has begun with a number of meaningful opportunities for reflection and celebration. From marking Kambala's 139th Foundation Day and gathering with our Year 7 and 8 students at St Michael's Church, to welcoming our newly inducted 2026–27 Prefect Team, these occasions have reminded us of the traditions that unite our community and the future we are shaping together.

Karina Wu’s (Year 7) thoughtful prayer beautifully captured the spirit of the term ahead, reminding us to approach the months before us with gratitude, courage and a commitment to serving others.

As we come together at the beginning of a new term, we thank you for the holidays and for the time we had to rest, recharge and spend time with the people we love. Whether we travelled, stayed at home or simply enjoyed a slower pace, we are grateful for the chance to have a break before returning to school. Thank you for bringing us back safely and for allowing us to begin another term together.

We are thankful for the friendships that continue to grow in our school community and for all the experiences that help us learn, both inside and outside of the classroom. As we settle back into our routines, help us to be welcoming, kind and encouraging with one another. Help us to treat everyone kindly and look out for one another, especially towards those who may be finding this new term difficult or feeling left out.

We also pray for those beyond our school community who may be facing challenges that we may not be able to see. Help us to notice when someone needs support, to choose kindness in the little things, and to live out the values we share as a community each and every day. 

As the weeks ahead become busy, please give us wisdom to use our time well and the determination to do our best in everything we do. When we face challenges, remind us to encourage one another, keep learning from our mistakes and to approach each new day with hope and gratitude. 

We proudly inducted our 2026–27 Prefect Team last Friday and congratulate the Year 10 students who have been elected as Student Leaders, and who will serve alongside them. During the recent International Coalition of Girls' Schools Conference, former Canadian Minister Catherine McKenna (and author of Run Like a Girl) shared a message for girls schools: there is immense value in girls putting themselves forward for leadership opportunities, and in finding the confidence to use their voice and participate in democratic processes. 

Regardless of outcome, she emphasised the significance of having the courage to stand, articulate ideas and thoughtfully consider the peers who will represent portfolios and causes that matter most to them. I encourage all students to embrace the leadership opportunities available throughout the terms ahead, including joining our student committees. These experiences foster confidence, resilience and a genuine sense of belonging, qualities that will serve our young women well long after they leave Kambala.

Samantha Gooch 

Deputy Principal - Pastoral Care 

What does Global Sisterhood look like in Action?

For Kambala students, it means building authentic relationships across cultures and discovering that meaningful change begins with shared purpose.

During our SDGs in Action tour, students worked alongside sister school, Pqwasan Laqi-mrkyas Tmali Qu Qalan Thitun School, to plant native trees and contribute to local forest conservation. More than an environmental initiative, the project reflected our shared commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and brought the Global Citizen Diploma to life through authentic intercultural collaboration.

Led by students Heidi Vanzella and Maia Gupta, the initiative demonstrated how young people can move beyond learning about global challenges to creating positive change together. We were delighted to see this moment of global sisterhood recognised in Taiwanese media as a reminder that when students connect across cultures with a shared purpose, their impact extends far beyond the classroom.

We are incredibly proud of our students for bringing Kambala's vision of global citizenship to life through thoughtful engagement, meaningful partnerships and purposeful action. 

Lauren Walsh

Executive Director - Professional Practice and Learning Culture

Model United Nations Conference

Cecilia and Antonia independently planned and hosted Kambala's second Interschool Model United Nations Conference, including around 70-80 students from Kambala, Ascham, Kincoppal-Rose Bay and St Catherine's. Their goal was to introduce students to Model United Nations in a supportive and engaging environment. For many delegates, this was their first time participating, so a goal was to build confidence in public speaking, negotiation, and collaboration.

Working closely with supervising teachers, they organised the conference logistics while constructing detailed instructions and guides for the delegates. They  selected committee topics that reflected current global issues while encouraging delegates to explore different perspectives. DISEC debated international security and terrorism, SOCHUM addressed child malnutrition and obesity in rural communities, and the Security Council examined AI-enabled cyberattacks and the use of artificial intelligence in conflict.

Throughout the conference, Cecilia and Antonia guided delegates through formal debate procedures while maintaining an approachable atmosphere that encouraged participation and collaboration. The high level of engagement across all three committees was reflected in the quality of discussion, and every resolution presented was successfully passed, a testament to the delegates' teamwork, diplomacy and willingness to find common ground.

One of the highlights of the conference was the opportunity to strengthen connections between four girls' schools, fostering a spirit of collaboration and sisterhood through shared learning and respectful discussion. It was inspiring to see students encourage one another, exchange diverse perspectives and work together towards creative solutions to complex global challenges. Cecilia and Antonia wish Lucy and Skye all the very best as they take over leadership of the MUN Club next year, and they look forward to seeing the Model UN Club and future conferences continue to grow under their guidance.

Cecilia Wang and Antonia Lin

2026 Model UN Presidents

Planet Ark National Tree Day

On Monday 27th of July, we travelled to Royal Sydney Golf Course to help Planet Ark in their goal to plant 500,000 trees. Sophia El Hassan, Yaxi Zhang, Madeline Yu, Jintong Li, Ashley Fan, Mr Petitt and I attended and with the help of other schools. Collectively we planted 1000 trees which consisted of native species, with the hope to increase and encourage biodiversity around Rose Bay. Allegra Spender was in attendance and gave an address to the group, which was very valuable. It was my first experience as the Environment Prefect, and I look forward to continuing Kambala’s community involvement with initiatives like this.

Giselle Overton and Sophia El Hassan- Year 11

Kambala Bus Services

Kambala operates two subsidised bus services on two separate routes for Kambala students for both the morning and the afternoon.

Bookings are simple and details (including timetables) can be foundhere on Sundial. 

Route 1: Eastern Beaches

La Perouse, Little Bay, Chifley, Matraville, Maroubra, Malabar, South Coogee, Coogee, Clovelly, Waverley, Bronte, Bondi Beach, North Bondi, Dover Heights and Kambala

Route 2: Inner City

Eastgardens, Rosebery, Alexandria, Waterloo, Paddington, Woollahra, Edgecliff, Double Bay, Point Piper and Kambala 

Clickherefor a pdf of the current routes.

Guitar and Percussion Evening

The Guitar and Percussion Evening, held in the Performance Theatre on 24 June, featured students from Years 7–12 performing in their weekly ensemble groups.

Highlights of the evening included the Senior Guitar Ensemble, who performed Norwegian Wood by The Beatles and Apache by The Shadows, and the Intermediate Percussion Ensemble, who performed Save Your Tears by The Weeknd and Juicy Beans by Lalo Davila. The evening also featured an outstanding performance by Ava Phillips in Year 6, who performed Misery Business by Paramore on the drums.

The evening was a wonderful testament to the commitment and hard work of every student who performed. Thank you to Mr Amalm, Mr Machamer and Mr Clark for your dedication and hard work throughout the past semester, and to the audience for supporting this event. Congratulations to all the performers on a fantastic evening.

Clara Khoury - Year 9

Zara Inspires the Next Generation of Performers

Kambala was thrilled to welcome back Class of 2023 alumna Zara Psirakis for a special visit to support current Year 12 students. Since graduating, Zara’s career has skyrocketed, making her the perfect mentor for students looking to pursue a pathway in the performing arts.

Zara generously volunteered her time to help our Year 12s map out a timeline of key actions and milestones needed to transition from high school to the professional theatre world. Drawing from her own rapid success, she offered invaluable industry insights. The timelines and strategies are now found on the Future Pathways Sundial page.

Five Career Highlights Since Leaving Kambala

Zara’s journey since 2023 is a testament to her dedication and talent. Here are five major highlights from her career so far:

• Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) Success: Zara is currently completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre) at the prestigious VCA in Melbourne. In her final year, she has landed the major roles of Pilar/Dance Captain in Legally Blonde and the Female Doctor/Ensemble in A Little Touch of Chaos.
• Original Cast Recording: As part of her breakout success at the VCA, Zara will be officially featured on the Original Cast Recording for A Little Touch of Chaos.
• Mainstage Musical Credits: Her impressive VCA mainstage resume already includes standout performances in Titanic the Musical (as Mrs. Widner/DaMico Dancer) and The Drowsy Chaperone.
• Featured Soloist Performances: Zara has taken her talents to major Australian stages, performing as a featured soloist at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Morning Melodies at Hamer Hall and at the prestigious Australian Musical Theatre Festival (AMTF).
• Screen and Voice Success: Building on her pre-university credits—which include Stan's Ten Pound Poms, Deadly Women, and Russell Crowe’s The Water Diviner—Zara continues to bridge the gap between stage and screen as an elite performer.

It was wonderful to have Zara back at Kambala. Her journey from conducting 400 students at the Sydney Opera House for Kambala's Music Festival to starring on Melbourne's biggest stages is an inspiration to us all.

Thank you Zara, for giving back to the Kambala community and guiding our future stars.

Ian Pettit

Future Pathways Advisor