Senior School 

Where Engagement Builds Confidence and Success

Students are to be commended for their strong and purposeful start to the academic year. Already, many have actively taken up the learning opportunities available to them, reflected in the outstanding turnout of Year 11 Mathematics students at the after-school Maths Focus Study session last Tuesday. Students across both HSC and IB pathways filled the library, working with intent and responding thoughtfully to teacher guidance. It is these day-to-day choices that shape a positive learning culture, build both individual and cohort academic confidence, and ultimately lead to sustained success.

Beyond the classroom, it has been wonderful to see lunchtime spaces alive with Music Festival rehearsals, the commencement of Debating and Future Problem-Solving coaching, as well as rehearsals for the Year 7 and 8 Drama Production Save Hamlet and the Senior School Production Picnic at Hanging Rock. This is in addition to the remarkable commitment students continue to demonstrate in sport and a wide range of co-curricular pursuits that together define the rich Kambala experience.

I encourage students to sustain this momentum, even as the term becomes increasingly busy. Engagement and commitment not only enhance academic outcomes but also contribute meaningfully to wellbeing and a strong sense of belonging within our learning community.

Please note the additional Public Holiday recently announced for Monday April 27, 2026. We hope families enjoy the long weekend, observing ANZAC Day.

Carolyn Gedling

Deputy Principal-Academic

In The Spirit of the Carnival

It is a valued Kambala tradition to invite the parents of our Head Prefects to address the Senior School at the post-Swimming Carnival assembly, offering a perspective that sees our girls both in and beyond the pool.

Mother of Deputy Head Prefect Laura Janes, Mrs Helene Janes, joined us at the assembly last week. Her words capture the deeper meaning behind the house colours, the cheering, and the early starts…  reminding us that a carnival is measured not only in ribbons and records, but in courage, commitment, and community. Her reflections speak to effort over outcome, to character over accolades, and to the enduring lessons that sport so generously teaches.

With sincere thanks to Mrs Janes for her wisdom and generosity, we are very pleased to share her address below.

Samantha Gooch

Deputy Principal – Pastoral Care

"Good morning students and staff,

Standing here today as a parent, I want to say how incredibly proud I am — not just of the ribbons and records, but of the courage it takes for every student to put on their house colours and step up, dive in, and give something your all.

Inter-house swimming carnivals aren’t just about who touches the wall first. They’re about very early mornings, friends cheering until they lose their voices, and that moment when you decide to race your best — even if you’re not sure what that best will look like.

Swimming can be a physically and psychologically tough sport.

When my daughters were in junior school, I once attempted (together with some  long-term poolside watching parents at Tivoli) to join in with one single squad swim set at the invitation of Lauren, in our minds to show our children how it is done. We quite laughably failed in that, managing only to complete perhaps a generous guess of four laps before conceding that our children had more grit than us and that perhaps the coaching was best left to the coaches.

As parents, we see the parts you might not notice in yourselves. We see the resilience when you enter an event outside your comfort zone. We see the teamwork when you stay to cheer for the last swimmer in the pool. We see the character you build every time you choose effort over excuses.  It takes heart to congratulate the person in the lane beside you.

To the record-breakers — congratulations. To the age champions — well done. To the house prefects, house officers and Year 12 cohort  who led with spirit and pride — thank you. And to every single student who put on their swimmers, swam a lap, or shouted encouragement from the sidelines — you are what makes the Kambala community strong.

Sport teaches such valuable lessons that last long after school ends: how to win with humility, lose with grace, and keep going when things get tough. Those lessons will carry you into exams, careers, friendships, and life.

As parents, we are so grateful to the teachers and staff who organise days like this, who stand poolside to time races, and who make sure every student feels included.

So today, as we celebrate the results, let’s also celebrate the bravery, the sportsmanship, and the house spirit that filled the pool."

Not Long Now! The Festival of Music

I am delighted to announce that preparations for Kambala’s annual Festival of Music at the iconic Sydney Opera House Concert Hall are now in full swing! This cherished tradition continues to be one of the most anticipated highlights in our school calendar, bringing together students from Years 5 through 12 in an extraordinary celebration of music, performance and house spirit.

Rehearsals across our flagship ensembles, including the Senior Orchestra, Symphonic Wind Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Kambala Jazz Orchestra and the combined Years 5&6 Choir have been nothing short of inspiring. 

But what makes the festival truly special is our House Music Competition; a spirited and creative showcase in which Roseby, Gurney, Wentworth and Hawthorne present three student directed items. Already, the friendly rivalry and sense of inclusion between the houses are shining through with remarkable energy and camaraderie.

This event is so much more than a concert, it is a celebration of learning, perseverance and community and this 2026 Festival of Music promises a night of exhilarating performance and showcases the very best of Kambala’s musical spirit, driven by passion, dedication and that unmistakable sisterhood that defines our school.

Gene Clark

Director of Music P-12

Naplan 2026

Each year the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is sat by students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Students will participate in tests for writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. 

NAPLAN tests will take place at Kambala from Wednesday 11 March to Friday 13 March (Week 7). Students who cannot complete one or more tests in Week 7 will have the opportunity to complete them in Week 8.

The tests assess literacy and numeracy skills, so the best preparation is their everyday classroom learning. Kamala will also undertake activities to help students become familiar with the types of questions and tools available in the online tests. In the Senior School, Years 7 and 9 students will sit a practice test on Friday 6 March (Week 6).

Families wishing to know more about the tests can access the public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site). Further information about NAPLAN is available on the NESA website (https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/naplan) and the NAP website (https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/for-parents-carers).

NAPLAN is a compulsory assessment for students across Australia. The above links include information about the criteria for withdrawal and exemption from NAPLAN.

We anticipate that NAPLAN transcripts will be available to families in Term 2. Hard copies of these transcripts will be sent to postal addresses as they appear on the school’s database.

Should you have any questions about NAPLAN in the Senior School, please do not hesitate to contact myself or Ms. Penelope Boyd (Head of Learning Enrichment, 7-12).

Sebastien Knox

Head of Academic Life and NAPLAN Coordinator

Address Collection for the Department of Education

Kambala will shortly be completing the address collection notice for all Kambala families for the Department of Education. We are required to inform you of this annual process, for further information, click here. 

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 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 assisting with an event and it will be available via QR code at school reception.

Canteen Tile added to Homepage of School App

The Canteen tile has been added to the home page of the school app. This is in response to a request and this simple step should make it easier for you to order by using a mobile device. The tile is situated in the top right-hand side of the app.

Picnic at Hanging Rock- A Senior School Production

The Picnic at Hanging Rock ensemble are rehearsing enthusiastically in the lead up to Opening Night, immersing themselves in the world of the play and exploring character. Emily Sleep, (Year 12) writes:

Playing Mrs Appleyard in my final Kambala production has been both a challenge and a privilege. She is such a multilayered character, dealing with upholding traditional values of a principal, addressing the sudden disappearance of the students, and finally, her eventual fall into madness. 

As she is such an intriguing character, my approach to her has taken a considerable amount of time. I've enjoyed diving into the script, annotating, and working with Jon (director), Ms Young and the rest of the cast to create a world for Mrs Appleyard.  The production, still a month away, is coming together beautifully. I am so excited to perform with the help of the crew and directing team, as well as the amazing cast full of kindness and talent. 

Tickets are now on sale for 19, 20 and 21 March. 

Inside "SOAR" - A Charitable Art Exhibition - by Poppy D Sze

"Art has long served as a mirror to society, reflecting its challenges, its triumphs, and its capacity for change. For Year 10 Kambala student and emerging artist Poppy D Sze, art is also a vehicle for compassion and advocacy. Her latest exhibition, “Soar,” is a powerful testament to the transformative potential of creativity, using the visual arts to highlight the plight of abandoned dogs and inspire a more empathetic world."

Clickhere to view the article by Vogue Hong Kong.

Curious Minds - STEM Canberra Summer Camp

Late last year I had the opportunity to attend the Curious Minds STEM Canberra Summer Camp, a national program designed to support young women with a passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The camp brought together students from across Australia for a week of hands-on learning, industry exposure and mentoring. It was an inspiring experience that strengthened my interest in STEM and showed me what future pathways could look like.

Attendance at the Curious Minds STEM Canberra Summer Camp is highly selective and by invitation only. Students are nominated through their schools based on strong performance in nationally recognised competitions, including the Big Science Competition, Australian Mathematics Competition, Computational and Algorithmic Thinking Competition, and Junior Science Olympiad Exam. I was invited to attend following my performance in the Big Science Competition, which made the opportunity feel especially rewarding and motivating.

Curious Minds is a program created to encourage girls in Years 9 and 10 to extend their STEM abilities through enrichment activities and mentoring. The purpose of the Canberra Summer Camp is to give students access to real scientific environments, expert speakers and practical workshops that build confidence and curiosity. The camp aims to show participants that STEM is not just a school subject, but a field full of real-world impact, creativity and opportunity.

We took part in a range of hands-on workshops, from coding and robotics to physics challenges and environmental science investigations. Each session was run by specialists, and we learnt through practical experiments in a variety of environments, not just the classroom. These specialists explained how the skills we were developing connected directly to real STEM careers.

The camp included visits to major scientific organisations in Canberra, such as research laboratories, universities, national facilities and Questacon. Seeing scientists and engineers working on real projects helped me become more curious about the role of women in STEM and how they are shaping Australia’s future.

Each participant was paired with a female STEM mentor who shared her study pathway, career experiences and advice. These conversations gave me insight into what it is like to pursue STEM beyond school and highlighted the wide range of STEM careers that are not often spoken about.

One of the biggest highlights was meeting other students who were just as passionate about STEM as I am. The camp strengthened my confidence in pursuing STEM subjects and helped me see myself in future scientific roles. I gained new skills, particularly in problem-solving and collaboration, and now have a clearer understanding of the pathways available after school. 

The Curious Minds STEM Canberra Summer Camp was an inspiring and empowering experience that broadened my understanding of science and the possibilities it offers. Through workshops, industry visits and mentoring, I developed new skills, met incredible people and discovered more about my own potential. It is an experience I am grateful for and one that will continue to influence my choices in the future.

Chloe Potts

Year 10

Year 7 Orientation Week

It has been such a privilege to welcome our wonderful Year 7 cohort into the Kambala Senior School. I have been incredibly impressed by their enthusiasm, exuberance and the confidence with which they have embraced this transition. These qualities were on full display throughout Orientation Week, which was thoughtfully designed to support each student as she stepped into this exciting new chapter. From Mentor meetings to panels with Year 8, to morning tea with their Year 12 Big Sisters, and opportunities to hear from our Kambala Old Girls (KOG), the week was centred on building connection and sisterhood. We concluded Orientation Week with the Enlighten Education workshop, equipping students with practical tools to navigate the year ahead, both socially and academically.

Now, Year 7 are well and truly settled into their routines and classes. I am already so proud of this cohort – their curiosity, their genuine care for one another, and the energy they bring to each day are a true joy. With such spirit and heart, I know 2026 will be a wonderful year for our Year 7 cohort.

Olivia McAtamney

Head of Year 7

Life Membership of NSW Combined Independent Schools

Congratulations to Kath Sambell OLY, Director of Sport P–12, on being awarded Life Membership by NSW Combined Independent Schools. A long-standing member of both the Primary and Secondary Athletics Committees, Kath has played a significant role in the ongoing development and delivery of athletics programs, providing strong leadership, technical expertise and a deep understanding pf the sport. In recognition of her outstanding service and long-term commitment to Athletics, Kath was recently awarded a PSSA Service Award for Athletics.

Fellowship with Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Congratulations to music staff member Panagiotis Karamanos who is one of four emerging conductors to be selected for a new Conducting Fellowship with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. 👏 

The newly established Conducting Fellowship creates a formal pathway for emerging conductors to work with Chief Conductor Simone Young and the orchestra. Participants will observe rehearsals, receive individual lessons and take part in masterclasses.

An Honour for our Student Musicians

A remarkable honour for our student musicians! We are incredibly proud to share that Julia Lin (Year 8) and Tanya Lin (Year 7) took centre stage at NSW Parliament House on Thursday 5 February.

The talented duo, performing as part of their string quartet, received a prestigious invitation from Premier Chris Minns to showcase their skills for an audience of distinguished guests.

It is a fantastic achievement for our students to be recognised for their hard work and artistry on such a significant stage. A huge congratulations to Julia and Tanya for representing our school with such poise and musical excellence. We look forward to seeing where their musical journey takes them next!

Lizzie Spencer

Music