Junior School
Welcome - 2025
The joy of working in a girls’ school is witnessing our students’ natural enthusiasm for school, striving for their personal best, and their love of learning. It was wonderful to see their excitement so evident as they returned to the “fair hill of flowers.”
The first day of school was marked with a K–12 Assembly on Tivoli Lawn. Seeing a sea of close to 1000 yellow ribbons gathered together was a powerful reminder of our Kambala sisterhood. We welcomed approximately 85 new students, primarily in our intake years of Prep, Year 3, and Year 5. Our Junior School Captain, Ruby Lin, and Head Prefect, Sophie Alexander, warmly welcomed new students and staff, who were each presented with a flower to commemorate this special occasion.
It was also a joy for our teachers and staff to connect with both existing and new Kambala parents at the KPA Parent Cocktail Party on Friday 31 January - a warm and welcoming way to commence our school year.
We are delighted to welcome new team members to Kambala as well! Miss Anya Josan to teach Kindergarten and Miss Shelby Pye to teach Year 6.
Miss Anya Josan comes to us with experience teaching at Newington College Wyvern House and prior to that Radford College in Canberra. She holds a Master of Teaching qualification from the University of Melbourne.
Miss Shelby Pye holds a Master of Teaching qualification from Queensland University of Technology with teaching experience linked to high performing public schools in Brisbane.
As we continue to strive for improvement, we are thrilled to see our Massie House students enjoying their new play equipment, so generously supported by our KPA. This has been a long-term goal, and it is truly joyous to see it come to fruition. The childlike wonder of play is evident in every smile.
This development builds upon last year’s refurbishment of the Junior School Library (Prep to Year 6) in the Watt Building, as well as the Junior School (Prep to Year 6) Art Room, now housed upstairs in Massie House.
Of course, our Kambala students capture the spirit of a new school year better than I ever could, so I turn to the words of our Junior School Captain, Ruby Lin, in her welcoming address:
“As we step into this year, let us face it with determination, curiosity, and perhaps just a little more courage than last year. The holidays have given us the chance to reflect, recharge, and come back ready to grow. There will undoubtedly be challenges ahead, but with resilience, hard work, and the support of one another, we can achieve great things. As we reflect on the power of our Kambala sisterhood, let’s make this a year we’ll be proud of—one filled with kindness, growth, and shared success.”
Welcome to 2025 assembly address - by Junior School Captain Ruby Lin
"I hope you all had a relaxing holiday—and if not, I hope you at least enjoyed not having to set an alarm or think about homework! Whether you travelled somewhere exciting or just perfected the art of doing nothing at home, I’m so glad to see you all ready to tackle another year.
To our new girls, welcome to Kambala! We are thrilled to have you join our sisterhood. Starting at a new school can feel like a whirlwind, but don’t worry—you’re surrounded by friendly faces who are here to help. This year is full of opportunities to try new things, make memories, and embrace everything that Kambala has to offer.
I’d also like to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible HSC results from the 2024 Year 12s. Their hard work and perseverance remind us of what’s possible when we put our minds to something. It’s a quiet but powerful reminder to all of us to stay focused and strive for our personal best.
To our teachers and support staff at Kambala, thank you for being the heart and soul of this school. You’re not just teachers—you’re mentors and guides, helping us to grow both inside and outside the classroom. Your deep care for each of us and your unwavering commitment to our growth make Kambala a truly special place. Thank you for everything you do.
As we step into this year, let’s face it with determination, curiosity, and perhaps just a little more courage than last year. The holidays have given us the chance to reflect, recharge, and come back ready to grow. There will undoubtedly be challenges ahead, but with resilience, hard work, and the support of one another, we can achieve great things. As reflect on the power of our Kambala sisterhood, let’s make this a year we’ll be proud of—one filled with kindness, growth, and shared success."
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).
RECEPTION
To create a centralised welcome for our school, reception is situated in Massie House in the Junior School.
Reception is staffed by Mrs Ellie Styles who is responsible for the reception duties for the whole school from Preparation to Year 12.
All visitors and community members must report to Reception when they enter the school grounds to register their attendance. A waiting area is also located within the reception site.
To call reception: 9388 6777
Operating hours: 7.30am - 4.30pm
To email: reception@kambala.nsw.edu.au
Student Services
Since January 2024 the school has had an administration division called Student Services who are responsible for servicing the needs of students whilst on site at the school. This department will primarily be focussed on our students' needs.
Junior School Student Services will be led by Ms Melina Sallos melina_sallos@kambala.nsw.edu.au
Senior School Student Services will be led by Ms Prue Hancock
prue_hancock@kambala.nsw.edu.au
Late to School
For any child who is late to school, parents should fill out this link on Sundial to notify the school. We cannot receive late to school phone calls. A digital record must be made.
Any child in Junior School (Prep - Year 6) must sign in at Reception with Mrs Ellie Styles once they have arrived.
Absent from School
For any child who is absent from school, parents must fill out this link on Sundial to notify the school. You can also record absences on the school app.
Please do not phone the school for absences as you will be redirected to Sundial to submit an absent notification as the school must have a digital record of the absence.
We also ask that any changes to afternoon arrangements are conveyed to Reception no later than 1.30pm on school days.
"Students should leave their home in the morning with the certainty of knowing their after- school departure arrangements".
Please make use of the beautiful new Kambala yellow student diary to record after school arrangements so they are a point of reference for both your daughter and her teacher.
Staffing 2025
We are excited to share our list of class teachers for 2025:
We are delighted to have the following Coordinators working to oversee the curriculum and pastoral needs of girls within the respective stages.
Stage 1 (Massie House) Coordinator is Mrs Alex Panagopoulos (Prep to Year 2) alex_panagopoulos@kambala.nsw.edu.au
Mrs Louise Pinkstone continues to work as a member of our Learning Enrichment Team and is our Prep to Year 8 Learning Enrichment Coordinator.
louise_pinkstone@kambala.nsw.edu.au
We warmly welcome to a new role at Kambala Mrs Sheriden Sweeney as Deputy Head of Junior School. She is passionate about the pastoral care of our students and understands herself what it is like to be a student.
sheridan_sweeney@kambala.nsw.edu.au
Ms Ky-Lee Murphy remains as our Director of Curriculum in the Junior School and is the first point of contact after your daughter’s teacher for teaching, learning and curriculum matters.
kylee_murphy@kambala.nsw.edu.au
JS Sport - Open Primary 100m Freestyle Championship Trials - Lunchtime Thursday 13 February, 2025
In preparation for the Junior School Swimming Carnival, we will be holding lunchtime Open Primary time trials on Thursday 13 February for the 100m Freestyle championship.
Strong swimmers in Years 3 - 6 who are interested in swimming the 100m Freestyle race at the Junior School Swimming Carnival on Friday 21 of February are encouraged to come along to the pool and be timed. The fastest 6 girls will swim in this event at the carnival. There is only one 100m Freestyle race meaning it will be a final.
Whilst House Points will be awarded for the girls who trial at these lunchtime sessions, only serious swimmers who can make the distance and complete the correct strokes should attend.
The interested swimmers are expected to bring their swimming gear and meet with Mr Doyle at the Junior School undercroft area at the start of lunch to then be directed to the pool.
Junior School Meet the Teacher Evening - Wednesday 19 February, 2025
Preparation to Year 6 Parents are warmly invited to meet their daughter's class teacher in their respective classrooms for an informative session.
PLEASE NOTE - this evening is for parents only not students.
Year 6 Production - Parent Volunteer Meeting - Wednesday 19 February, 2025 over Zoom
Dear Parents/Carers of Year 6 Students
In Term 2 your Year 6 daughters will be showcasing their performance skills in their Production of Goldie Locks On!
If you would like to volunteer with hair/ make-up, costuming and props, please note the following details for the meeting with Ms Derrig:
Date: Wednesday 19 February, 2025 (Week 4B)
Time: 12:30 - 1:00pm
Zoom link: https://kambala.zoom.us/my/annaderrig
If you are unable to attend the meeting and would like to help, please email anna_derrig@kambala.nsw.au.
Thank you in advance.
Anna Derrig