Boarding 

We are now past the halfway mark for the 2025 school year, time is flying. Our Year 12 girls have just completed the first week of their HSC Trial exams, and we are incredibly proud of the way they have approached this important milestone. The entire boarding community – fellow boarders and tutors alike – have rallied around them with thoughtful cards and words of encouragement, creating a warm and supportive environment during this intense period. The girls have shown great resilience and focus, and their efforts are already evident in how well they have managed the first week.

Looking ahead, our IB students will begin their Mock exams in the coming weeks, which means study remains a top priority in the house at present. The girls are balancing their academic commitments with admirable determination, and we aim to provide a calm, structured environment during this time.

There have also been some exciting changes to our boarding routine. Supper is now served in the Fernbank family lounge for all boarders, and this shift has not only brought a more social atmosphere to the evenings but has also allowed us to introduce a wider variety of food options. In addition, the new Fernbank fruit bowl has become a popular addition,  a healthy and convenient after-school snack that the girls are thoroughly enjoying.

Unfortunately, the winter weather has disrupted some of our outdoor sports this term, which has been a disappointment for many. However, we continue to strongly encourage Saturday sport participation, which remains a valuable outlet for fitness, team spirit, and fun.

Mrs Joanna Andrew

Head of Boarding

Weekend Rec Activities

The rainy weather on Saturday was perfect weather to visit all the fish at the Sea Life Aquarium, Darling Harbour. We were fascinated wandering through all the underwater tunnels, being surrounded by fish, sting rays and sharks of all sizes and colours. 

The grey nurse sharks are the definite favourite of the group, even with their slightly unnerving beady eyes. Learning what a shrimp looks like when we spied them hiding under the coral was an exciting experience! 

The touch pools were so cool, we got to pat star fish, sea cucumbers and hold shark eggs, but we made sure to wash our hands before so we could keep their habitat clean.

Unfortunately, our much-anticipated City2Surf (Kambala2Surf) outing had to be cancelled this term due to heavy rain. While we were disappointed to miss the event, we quickly adapted our plans to ensure the students could still enjoy an afternoon out together. Instead, our Kambala Rec group headed to Bondi Junction, where they enjoyed some relaxed shopping, lunch with friends, and, of course, hot chocolates to escape the winter chill. It was a great opportunity for the girls to relax, socialise and share a few laughs despite the change in plans.We were proud of how well the girls embraced the change and made the most of the day — a wonderful display of flexibility and positivity.We look forward to more outings ahead and, hopefully, better weather for next year’s City2Surf!