Senior School
Welcome to Term 1 2025
The beginning of the year always represents an exciting time for our students as they settle into new classes and challenge themselves in fresh ways. As was mentioned at last week’s Year 10-12 Learning in Focus evening, at this time of the year we strongly recommend that girls familiarise themselves with the suite of resources available on Sundial – these include the Artificial Intelligence Teaching and Learning Hub, the Bain Library page, as well as cohort and individual Sundial class pages, which are used to communicate important information and resources referred to during lessons.
I look forward to connecting this week with Year 7 to 9 parents at the Learning in Focus session, which will cover important information about homework in the middle years, capstone programs such as the Year 8 Bannockburn experience, and frequently asked questions about teaching and learning in the senior school.
Academic Progress Meetings
This term, Year 12 students will continue to meet with Mr. Bird, Mr. Knox and Mr. Pettit to discuss their progress towards academic goals. During these 15-minute meetings, girls are provided access to predicted ATARs (HSC) and grades (IB) using data collated by Academic Assessment Services (AAS). This supports Year 12 students to review their performance in 2024, and to ensure that goals are well-aligned with their aspirations for work or study after Kambala.
These meetings are especially beneficial when students come prepared with questions; they can even be used as a chance to plan scholarship applications, research summer internships or conduct mock interviews. We would encourage all students to consult the Beyond Kambala Sundial page for a wealth of ever-evolving information about Future Pathways, compiled by Mr. Pettit.
Year 7 Study Skills Evening
On Tuesday, 18th of February, we welcome back Dr. Prue Salter to Kambala. Dr. Salter is a leading expert on self-regulated learning (SRL) skills and has delivered engaging, interactive workshops to Kambala Year 7 students and their parents and carers for many years. To support the transition into the Senior School, the workshop will cover important aspects of time management and study skills to ensure that students feel confident in meeting the challenges and opportunities presented by a new timetable and increased workload. Importantly, girls will be given tasks to complete in collaboration with their parents and carers during the workshop, such as creating a study timetable or writing effective study notes. Boarders will be complete these tasks with boarding staff.
We look forward to welcoming families to this event, which begins at 6pm in the Alexander Hall.
Dates for the Diary: NAPLAN and Minimum Standards Testing
Please note that NAPLAN testing will begin for Years 7 and 9 on Wednesday 12th of March (Week 7), with catch-up testing occurring in Week 8.
Year 10 will undertake Minimum Standards testing on Tuesday 1st of April. This testing is compulsory for all students in NSW. Further information will be provided to students during the term.
Mr Sebastian Knox
Acting Deputy Principal - Academic
Learning in Focus - Parent and Student Information Evening
It was wonderful to connect with our Senior Students and families at the Learning in Focus evening last week. Our Year 10, 11 & 12 students and their parents filled our Alexander Hall, and we were pleased to share details of our academic program. The themes of ‘Challenge, Nurture and Excellence’ framed the night, and characteristics of the ‘senior years’ were shared.
We look forward to seeing students in Years 7-9 this Thursday 13 February. Please arrive for a 6.00pm start in the Alexander Hall, and the event will conclude by 7.30pm. Students are to wear summer uniform (no blazer needed).
A reminder that this is a compulsory event for each student, to be accompanied by a parent/ carer. Our Boarding families have received a communication from Head of Boarding Joanne Andrews with details of access to this information.
Welcome to 2025 assembly address by Head Prefect - Sophie Alexander
"To those returning, welcome back to the 2025 school year! And to those who are new, we are thrilled to welcome you into the Kambala community. I hope you’ve already begun to feel the warmth and energy that makes this school such a special place.
I know that returning to school isn’t always as idyllic as fairies and daisies. A new year often brings with it a sense of fear and uncertainty, questions about whether we’ll succeed, whether we’ll fit in, or whether we’ll meet our own or others’ expectations.
Over the holidays, I had the privilege of attending a student leadership conference alongside Emma, Ava and Hilary. The knowledge we gained over those four days was invaluable, but I’d particularly like to share a powerful perspective on fear, one that I know will resonate with all of us as we step into the school year,
Fear is an acronym: False Evidence Appearing Real.
What this means is that the things we’re most afraid of often feel real because we convince ourselves of their inevitability. We collect “evidence” for why something might go wrong, why we might fail, or why we’re not good enough. And the truth is, if you go looking for reasons to believe in your failure, you will always find them.
But here’s the lesson I took away: fear, while uncomfortable, isn’t inherently bad. It’s a sign that something matters to you. If you let it, fear can be a catalyst, an opportunity to push beyond what feels safe and familiar and step into growth, challenge, and possibility.
So, this year, I want to encourage each of you to resist the urge to look for reasons to doubt yourself. Instead, trust that in the midst of fear and uncertainty lies the potential for something good. That nervous flutter before a presentation? It means you care about what you’re saying. That hesitation before trying something new? It’s an invitation to grow.
Kambala has always been a place where courage and resilience are celebrated. We are encouraged to take risks, to try, and to learn, even when we stumble along the way. So, let’s enter this year not by chasing perfection, but by embracing progress.
You are capable of far more than the stories your fear may tell you. Trust in your ability to rise to challenges and lean on the strength of our community. Whether you're stepping into Massie House for the first time or preparing for your final year here, I encourage you to try something that scares you, cheer a little louder for each other, and remember that every small step forward is a step worth celebrating."
Volunteer Code of Conduct
Kambala is a child safe organisation and values the contribution of all members of the school community in volunteering their time and effort to support school activities. To assist Kambala in providing a safe environment and a positive educational climate, parents and others who are volunteering at the school are asked to sign off on a Volunteer Code of Conduct and also indicate their commitment to the School’s Child Safe Policy. If you intend to volunteer at the school, please take the time to read these documents now and complete this form.
If not done prior, Kambala staff may also ask you to complete the google form before to assisting with an event and it will be available via QR code at school reception. Please note this process will replace any previous requirements for parents to obtain Working with Children Checks (unless you will be volunteering in a direct unsupervised role with students).
Sisterhood in Action
Year 10 House Officers have dual, valued roles as part of their leadership journey. One is supporting House Prefects, and the other is supporting their ‘little sisters’. These little sisters are Year 7 students in the same House Groups as the Year 10 leaders. Peer Mentors are described as the ‘middle sister’ of our House system, assisting Year 7 students by sharing their knowledge, experience and strengthening belonging through a heavy dose of fun.
On the first day of Senior School for Year 7, Peer Mentors led a session that challenged each Mentor group to work together to solve clues and navigate around their new surroundings. It was wonderful to witness the building of relationships and sisterhood solidarity. The focus of the Term 1 program will further strengthen these relationships with activities centred on connections and fun. House Officers will visit House mentor groups once a fortnight to play games and pass on tips for Term 1 events such as the Cross Country Carnival and House Music Rehearsals and Festival.
The Peer Mentor program aims to support Year 7 students as they transition into Senior School life through Year 10 students sharing their lived experiences. In turn, Year 10 students enrich their connection with younger students in their House groups as well as developing their leadership and communication skills. The additional benefit of the program is a strengthening of belonging throughout the school and shared solidarity of sisterhood.
Congratulations to our 2025 Peer Mentor Leaders: Rachel Chen, Eva Heckendorf, Jade Derwin, Quincy Sheldrick, Margot Hindmarsh, Coco Sweeney, Claudia Rose, Georgianna Botros, Giselle Overton, Savanna Kirwood, Lucy Pan, Kalia Finau, Ruby Small, Tilly Mathews and Sarah Tay and Neve Mortimer.
Ms Julie Laytham
Head of Student Life
Year 11 Maths Transition Workshop - a Successful Start to Senior Mathematics
The Year 11 Maths Transition Workshop kicked off the academic year with great enthusiasm, as over two-thirds of the cohort voluntarily attended the session the day before school officially started. This impressive turnout demonstrated the students' commitment to preparing for the challenges of senior mathematics.
The workshop, led by Stuart Palmer, a highly experienced mathematics educator, focused on algebra and functions—two foundational areas that play a crucial role in Year 11 Mathematics. Designed to refresh and strengthen students’ understanding of key concepts from Year 10, the session provided an opportunity to gain new insights, reinforce learning, and build confidence before stepping into the senior syllabus.
Feedback from students highlighted the value of the workshop. Many found the problem-solving strategies, algebra review, and graphing concepts particularly useful, while others appreciated the chance to hear explanations from a fresh perspective. The vast majority of students rated the workshop as helpful or extremely helpful, with engagement levels high throughout the day.
Beyond the academic benefits, the workshop also played a key role in fostering a positive mindset for the year ahead by re-engaging with mathematics in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Ms Patricia Wong
Mathematics
Kambala's Sun Safety Ambassadors
Over the holidays, I was interviewed by Eliza Barre from The Daily Telegraph for an article titled Slip, Slop, Silly, which explored the dangers of tanning in the context of social media and prevailing beauty standards. This platform allowed me to articulate the significant risks associated with UV exposure and highlight the proactive measures we have implemented at Kambala to foster a culture of sun safety among students.
As part of the ongoing expansion of this initiative, I will be meeting next week with Allegra Spender, our local Member of Parliament, to discuss strategies for enhancing public awareness and education surrounding UV-related health risks, particularly among young women. A key focus of this discussion will be advocating for the integration of comprehensive sun safety education into high school curricula and securing funding for targeted social media campaigns that challenge harmful beauty norms and promote evidence-based skin protection practices.
Further institutional engagement is also underway, with Mr Board scheduled to meet with Catherine Thomson, Director of Curriculum Implementation at NESA, to evaluate the outcomes of Kambala’s sun safety program.
Additionally, we are preparing to launch a Stage 3 initiative tailored for our Year 6 girls! This program will feature Kirstie Fitzpatrick, a skin cancer survivor and Channel Nine reporter, who will deliver a seminar on the intersection of skin care and self-esteem. The initiative is designed as a pastoral care program that not only educates students on the physiological effects of UV exposure but also examines the psychological and social dimensions of self-perception in relation to skin health. This program will be a foundational step in equipping our younger students with lifelong sun protection habits.
Next week also marks the final phase of our research collaboration with Charles Sturt University, in which we are conducting a study to assess the effectiveness of structured workshops and curriculum integration in improving high school students' understanding of sun safety. The research question guiding this study is: Can dedicated workshops and associated syllabus implementation enhance high school students’ knowledge and awareness of skin care and UV protection? Upon completion, we aim to publish our findings in a research paper by late 2025, contributing valuable insights to the broader discourse on adolescent health education.
A critical component of this initiative has been the involvement of our student leadership group, whose contributions have been instrumental in shaping the program’s direction. Through ongoing consultation, student representatives have influenced key amendments to workshop content and broader policy decisions regarding sun safety measures within the school. Their advocacy has already led to the installation of two sunscreen dispensers on the oval, and they are currently finalising the design of a broad-brimmed hat for girls to wear during PDHPE and sports classes. This underscores the importance of student agency in driving meaningful change, ensuring that sun safety education remains both relevant and impactful within the Kambala community.
Sophie Alexander
Year 12
End of Year Rock Wrap!
Our end of the school year for 2024 wrapped up in the most delightful way; a rock concert for the senior school. With six rock bands, a class instrumental group, a combined junior and senior dance group, and a staff band, there was much to delight concert goers. We bopped to the iconic Ghostbusters theme as it was appropriately it’s 40 year anniversary, we heard some melancholy Jeff Buckley and Bruno Mars and the Goo Goo Dolls were not forgotten. This is truly an event to look forward to every year and I appreciate all the rehearsal hours the students put into perfecting their songs.
A big shout out to our rock band directors Mr Gene Clark, Mr Panagiotis Karamanos, Mr Daniel Amalm and Mrs Louise Mitchell. I am so looking forward to our 2025 rock concert.
Ms Louise Mitchell
Music
The Duke of Edinburgh Award
As we embark on an exciting new school year, I would like to reintroduce myself, Ms. Rosie Boshell, as Kambala’s Duke of Edinburgh (Duke of Ed) Coordinator. I look forward to working with your daughters and supporting them as they take on the unique challenges and opportunities this prestigious program offers.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an internationally recognised program that empowers young people to discover their potential, develop life skills, and create lasting memories through adventure, service, and personal growth. Open to students from the age of 14, the program is designed to foster independence, resilience, leadership, and a sense of community responsibility. Whether it’s volunteering, learning a new skill, engaging in physical activities, or completing adventurous journeys, the Duke of Ed encourages students to step out of their comfort zones and achieve personal goals.
There are three levels of the Award - Bronze, Silver, and Gold - and four key sections that must be completed for a young person to qualify for an Award:
- Skill: Learning a new skill that fosters creativity and personal development.
- Physical Recreation: Participating in physical activities to promote health and fitness and develop healthy routines.
- Voluntary Service: Engaging with the wider community through meaningful service.
- Adventurous Journey: Encouraging a sense of adventure and teamwork, participants will plan, train for, and undertake a journey with a defined purpose in an unfamiliar environment.
Kambala Bronze Award participants Victoria Smeets and Kathryn Lee (Yr10), making a meaningful difference in the lives of our cherished elderly members of the community by providing companionship, support and musical entertainment for their Service activity.
Kambala Silver and Gold participants on an Adventurous Journey: Isabella Hupfau, Carla Robertson, Frankie Johnston and Arabella Bugden (Yr 11)
Students in Year 9 will have the opportunity to complete their Adventurous Journey as part of their Year 9 Cape York Cultural Immersion, providing an excellent introduction to the challenges and rewards of the programme.
Participating in the Duke of Ed not only enhances university applications and resumes but also helps students build confidence, form new friendships, and develop a lifelong love for the outdoors and community engagement.
If your daughter is ready to embark on an incredible journey of self-discovery and adventure, I encourage you to support her in registering for the Duke of Edinburgh Award this year. Students can sign up from the age of 14 at any time throughout the year, and I am here to guide and support them throughout the program. Students in Year 9 will have the opportunity to complete their Adventurous Journey as a part of their Year 9 Red Earth
Cultural Immersion.
For more information or to register, please feel free to contact me directly on dofecoordinator@kambala.nsw.edu.au or visit Kambala’s Duke of Edinburgh page on Sundial.
Ms Rosie Boshell
Science and Biology Teacher
Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator | World Challenge Expedition Coordinator
Kambala HSC English article - Sydney Morning Herald December 2024
In December we shared with you not only the success of our HSC and IB student buts also our ranking of First in NSW for English Advanced, English Extension 1 and English Extension 2.
We are delighted to share an article that appeared in the SMH shortly after the English results were announced:
Future Problem-Solving Coach Training and Accreditation Day
On 11 February, Kambala hosted a Coach Training and Accreditation Day for teachers and tertiary students wanting to become accredited FPS Coaches, with an emphasis on Global Issues Problem Solving. The training was facilitated by Jonathan Koman and Oli Weeding, on behalf of the FPS National Organisation. Junior and senior school educators were in attendance from St Andrews Cathedral School, Kincoppal Rose-Bay, Queenwood, Mount Sinai College, Emanuel School, Tangara, Waverley College, St Patrick’s College, Ascham, Pymble Ladies College and Wahroonga Preparatory School. They enjoyed our campus for the whole day and learnt how to introduce and develop the Future Problem- Solving program in their schools. Former Kambala graduates from the cohorts of 2023 and 2024, Emma Janes, Soraya Chen and Grace Zhang, were offered scholarships to complete the training. They also made a valuable contribution by providing a competitor’s perspective within the forum, given their expertise gleaned from a number of competitive National and International Finals events.
And if you are keen to know more about this wonderful co-curricular program at Kambala, take a listen to our 3-part Futurism series on The Kambala Voice podcast, which is available on Sundial, Spotify, Buzzsprout and Apple Podcasts.
Ms Anna Messariti
English and Future Problem Solving
Second-Hand Uniform and Textbook Sale
The recent Second-Hand Uniform and Textbook Sale, led by Advocacy Prefect Katie Greenwood and Environment Prefect Abi Jellins, showcased the school community’s dedication to sustainability and social impact. The event held on the 29th of November and 2nd of December encouraged recycling and repurposing through selling preloved uniforms and textbooks while raising funds for two meaningful causes.
A special thank you to the students from both committees who helped organise and run the event, ensuring its success. The funds raised will support Girl Up’s mission to empower girls globally and provide vital early childhood education and care through The Infant’s Home.
Thank you to everyone who donated or purchased items, your contributions have made a positive impact on our wider school community.
Ms Julie Laytham
Head of Student Life
Trinity Exams - XC Drama
The Extra Curricular Drama department is very proud to share the results from the 2024 Trinity exams. At the end of last year, we had over 60 students taking part in the Trinity Acting, Speech & Drama, Communication and Musical Theatre Exams, with many of the girls taking part in more than one exam. These exams are by no-means compulsory and are an “opt-in” if the actors feel that they’d like to challenge themselves or focus on a clear goal.
The benefit of these examinations is to encourage discipline, confidence in learning and performing a variety of scripts and the ability to research the meaning and context of the selected pieces. These examinations are recognised globally and will benefit the girls throughout their careers. The girls were marked by Kate Somerby - the Head Examiner at Trinity and the comments and feedback are all incredibly positive, with constructive feedback for us to work on this year. Kate commented on what a wonderfully entertaining time she had with us and what a diverse program we offered.
The results were excellent, with more than 50% of the girls achieving a Distinction - This is a huge achievement, particularly as they only have a 40-minute weekly lesson which is scheduled around their academic studies and all of their other commitments.
We are very proud of the girls, and I have a huge thanks to say to my team of teachers: Ms Rhiannon Cox, Ms Victoria Tsingos and Ms Olivia Hunt.
Here's to a dramatic 2025 [in all the right ways!]
Many thanks for the continued support of Drama in Kambala!
Ms Ali Bendall
Acting Coordinator of Extra Curricular Drama