Senior School 

PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment)

24 Year 10 students were randomly selected to undertake PISA in Week 7. PISA is the world's largest student assessment, involving around half a million 15-year-old students from nearly 100 countries. 

PISA assesses how well students can apply their knowledge and skills to real-world situations and consists of two sections: an online computer-based test and a questionnaire about attitudes to schooling in Australia. The Australian Council for Educational Research (2025) notes that “PISA examines the extent to which education systems are preparing students to meet life’s challenges – to analyse, reason and communicate ideas effectively, continue learning throughout life, and become tomorrow’s workers.”

Kambala does not receive individual student test results, nor are the results published to parents; however, those wishing to learn more about PISA and the insights it provides into schooling in Australia are encouraged to visit the following website; https://www.acer.org/au/pisa. 

Mr Sebastien Knox

Head of Academic Life

Year 10 IGSA Archdale Debating Champions

On Tuesday 2 September, the Kambala Year 10 debating team competed in the Grand Final of the IGSA Archdale Debating Competition against Monte Sant'Angelo Mercy College.

Kambala held the negative side and debated the topic: ‘That we support attempts made by the feminist movement to redefine roles and behaviours traditionally associated with women as empowering.’ Delivering a strong and cohesive case, the team impressed the panel of three adjudicators and secured a unanimous victory with all three adjudicators awarding a clear win to Kambala.

The 2025 Year 10 IGSA team: Georgianna Botros, Neve Mortimer, Sabine Reja, Hania Skimin and Skye Wells.

Reflecting on the evening, Year 10 debating coach and Old Girl, Lily Tucker (’22), said: “It was an amazing win on their part, and it has been an absolute pleasure to work with the team this year. They should be really proud of themselves for winning a grand final and also defeating an undefeated team up until that point. Well done girls!”

Ms Leigh Barlow 

Coordinator of Debating

Empowered Voices: Kambala’s inaugural Year 8 Poetry Slam

As part of the Year 8 Term 3-unit Empowered Voices, students immersed themselves in the dynamic world of slam poetry, connecting classroom learning with real-world expression. This unit saw students study diverse poetic forms and authors, including First Nations poets, refugee and migrant voices, and contemporary female writers, exploring themes such as the individual and society, the environment, the natural world, displacement, reclamation and cultural heritage. 

After culminating their study of poetry, students were challenged with a two-week project that saw them create and perform their own original works.

Central to the initiative was the idea that poetry can serve as both protest and activism. Students crafted poems that responded to issues in society and their personal worlds that they believed needed greater attention. In doing so, they embodied Kambala’s values of global mindedness and self-authorship, using creativity and courage to speak with authenticity while taking risks in a supportive environment.

A series of professional workshops, led by acclaimed slam poet Miles Merrill, guided students in developing their craft. These sessions focused not only on writing, but also on the skills of performance: voice, presence, and the ability to communicate with passion and purpose. Supported by industry professionals, students also explored the etiquette and ethos of slam poetry, which is an art form rooted in respect, community, and collaboration.

The initiative culminated in our very own high-energy Kambala-first poetry slam, where students supported one another in showcasing their work in live performances. Their performances celebrated creativity while amplifying voices that often go unheard, demonstrating the power of poetry to both reflect personal perspectives and advocate for others.

Sincere thanks to Ms Horsley for overseeing the event and to Dr Zavaglia for delivering an engaging and meaningful foundational unit of study. We look forward to continuing this project in 2026. 

Ms Greta Beaumont-Kennedy

Head of English

Highlights from the 2925 Angus Cup House Debating Competition

The 2025 Angus Cup House Debating Competition at Kambala came to an exciting conclusion at the end of Week 7. The competition was divided into two sections: Lower Senior (Years 7 and 8) and Upper Senior (Years 9, 10, and 11). As always, our students demonstrated their intellectual agility and passion, competing for valuable house points and the prestige of claiming a win in the first house competition of 2025.

This year’s debates featured a diverse range of student-suggested topics, from imagining “a world where Pangea never split,” to questioning whether “humans are inherently selfish,” and even considering if “living forever would be good for society.”

After three weeks of spirited competition, the 2025 Angus Cup ended in a tie, with Wentworth and Roseby sharing first place in what proved to be a closely contested event. Congratulations to all students who participated!

The competition also drew tremendous support from the wider Kambala community, with more than 600 students and staff attending the eight lunchtime debates. This strong turnout created a great atmosphere of house spirit, with Wentworth being recognised as the Best Supporting House for 2025.

Finally, a special mention must go to our 2025 Debating Prefect, Madeleine Weissberger, along with the House Patrons and House Captains, for their time and support with this year’s competition.

Ms Leigh Barlow

Coordinator of Debating

Strong University Early Entry Offers for Year 12 2025

Congratulations to the many Kambala Year 12 students who are starting to receive Early Entry offers for university places and residential colleges across Australia. Offers for ANU Early Entry came out on 4 September with further offers expected in the coming weeks. Some of the Year 12 students offered a place from ANU are pictured below. Several other universities such as Macquarie and the University of Wollongong have also offered places to Kambala students. Kambala students have also had success in receiving offers from several Sydney and interstate residential colleges in Queensland and Victoria. 

Students are still strongly encouraged to keep up the energy in preparing for exams, despite these Early Offers, particularly as some offers are conditional on students achieving specific ATAR/IBAS results. Congratulations Year 12 on your efforts in study and exam preparation. Keep it up!

Mr Ian Pettit

Future Pathways Advisor

KCuriosity In Creativity

The Woollahra Council Youth Photographic Award and Short Film Prize is an annual competition that has been showcasing local students' submissions since 1994. It is an annual prize that allows students the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity via submissions of photographs and short films. This year, Kambala was represented by five strong female submissions. We are so proud of the following students who courageously submitted their images.

Polly Dyer (Year 11), Raquel Chen, Ella Sargent and Eve Leelathayphawan (Year 10) and Freya Pavey (Year 7).

The exhibition can be viewed at the Woollahra Gallery, Redleaf until 14 September. 

Ms Julie Laytham

Head of Student Life

Year 11 Mentor Program (Pilot) Success

The Year 11 Mentor Program is continuing to have positive results, with connections being made that are helping current Kambala students with their future pathway choices.

We were recently thrilled to welcome Jodie Relton Ray (’05) back to school on Tuesday to meet her mentee, Annabelle Knox (Year 11) in Kambala's 2025 Year 11 Mentor Program. Jodie is Vice President, Leadership & Management – Global Banking and Markets at Goldman Sachs in New York City.

The Kambala Year 11 Mentor Program connects students with alumni and community members, offering guidance, career insights, and support as they explore their future pathways. Mentors are matched to students’ interests and goals, and ongoing sessions are held via Zoom or email, following a structured format to track progress and achievements.

Another student, Lucinda Isert (Year 11) has connected with Kipling Perkins ‘20 currently completing her postgraduate degree, a Doctor of Medicine at Griffith University in the Gold Coast. She is gaining feedback about a possible career pathway in medicine and health focus. 

Annabelle Knox (Year 11) :

"The Kambala Mentor Program has given me opportunities I wouldn't have had otherwise through connecting me with an experienced Kambala community member within my field of interest. My mentor's insight and guidance has been invaluable, helping motivate me to achieve my goals."

Lucinda Isert (Year 11) :

“Connecting with Kipling again through the Mentor Pilot program was such a rewarding experience, especially after looking up to her for so long when I was younger. Kipling gave me so much valuable insightful advice into medical career pathways, test processes, and general advice as well. She has helped me feel much more confident about my next steps after school, and I would strongly recommend this program to anyone who is interested!”

We sincerely thank our amazing volunteer alumni mentors for their support and commitment to the program. If you are able to consider being part of the Year 11 Mentor program, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are currently looking for more mentors from the legal community.

KPA Ladies Luncheon - Entertainment

On the 15th of August, the Kambala Year 10 Chamber Trio performed at the Easts Rugby Club for the Mothers’ Luncheon, organised by the Kambala Parents’ Association. The performance featured works by renowned composers Joseph Haydn and Carl Stamitz, as well as a lively Norwegian folk piece that added a festive and celebratory touch to the afternoon.

The performance provided us with a valuable opportunity to develop our stage confidence as well as refine our performance skills, both from an individual and an ensemble perspective. It was also a wonderful chance to interact with the mothers in attendance, who showed great appreciation and encouragement in response to our performance. While performing, members of the KPA kindly offered us lemonade and refreshments, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable and memorable.

On Saturday 30th August a recording we made of our Norwegian Folk Piece was played on 2mbs radio. Thank you to Mrs Benz for tutoring us and making the recording.

Allison Lee, Bella Wang and Charlotte Lyu