Senior School

To develop the whole girl, Kambala provides a broad educational experience that challenges the intellectual, creative, reflective, emotional, physical, social and spiritual capacities of each girl.

Kambala girls are confident, embrace opportunities and live with purpose.

Overview

The Senior School caters to approximately 590 students in Years 7 to 12. Our focus is on developing a love of learning which will last a lifetime.

The strength and quality of a Kambala education is not limited to the public successes of our students. All girls at Kambala are important and are encouraged to participate and do their best. While the pursuit of excellence is important, Kambala focuses on developing the whole girl where academic, creative, sporting and personal achievements are celebrated.

Some of the initiatives that encourage strong relationships between girls and a sense of belonging:

Student Representative Council

​Pastoral Care Programs
Community Engagement
World Challenge
Connecting Globally

Share the Benefit

Academic

One of the main reasons Kambala enjoys a fine reputation is the high academic achievements of its students. These are measured by the results of formal examinations such as the Higher School Certificate (HSC) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and by the many academic competitions the girls are encouraged to enter.

Students in Year 7 follow a compulsory curriculum largely determined by Board of Studies requirements. After Year 7, students have the opportunity to elect more subjects each year until Years 11 and 12, where the widest possible choice is made available through the option of the HSC or IB Diploma.

  • English
  • History
  • Geography
  • Mathematics
  • Music
  • Science
  • Personal Development/Health/Physical Education
  • Religious Education
  • Technology Mandator
  • Visual Arts
  • Year 7 students study two languages from French, Latin, Mandarin or Mandarin Background. Students select one of these languages to continue with in Year 8.

These year groups study a core curriculum of English, Australian Geography, Australian History, Mathematics, Personal Development/Health/Physical Education, Science and Religious Education as well as three elective subjects from:

  • Commerce
  • Design and Technology
  • Drama
  • French
  • Geography
  • History
  • Information and Software Technology
  • Latin
  • Mandarin/Mandarin Background
  • Music
  • Photographic and Digital Media
  • Visual Arts

Years 11 and 12

IB PROGRAMME

The IB Diploma Programme is a two-year integrated course for students seeking a globally endorsed matriculation alternative to the NSW HSC.

HSC

The HSC is the traditional pre-tertiary credential for students in New South Wales. Every university accepts the credential throughout Australia.

Kambala offers a wide range of subjects and its students continue to achieve results beyond expectations, demonstrating a strong commitment to the pursuit of learning and personal self-development.

  • Ancient History
  • Biology
  • Business Studies
  • Chemistry
  • Chinese Continuers (prerequisite: Mandarin in Years 9 and 10)
  • Chinese in Context/Chinese and Literature (specific eligibility criteria apply)
  • Design and Technology
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • French Continuers (prerequisite: French in Years 9 and 10)
  • Geography
  • Information Processes and Technology
  • Latin Continuers (prerequisite: Latin in Years 9 and 10)
  • Legal Studies
  • Mathematics
  • Modern History
  • Music Course 1 and 2
  • PDHPE
  • Physics
  • Visual Arts
  • VET Hospitality 

Co-Curricular

Kambala has a vibrant and progressive Music Department.

Our Classroom Instrumental Program was one of the first of its kind in Sydney and remains one of the most comprehensive. Every student in Year 3 begins learning an orchestral instrument of their choice, provided by Kambala, in small groups during class time. Students continue this program until the end of the non-elective program in Year 8.

The Music Ensemble Program features 18 ensembles, including five choirs, three concert bands, three jazz bands, three string orchestras, a symphonic orchestra and various chamber groups. Special events include the annual Festival of Music at the Sydney Opera House, Music Camp, School Musicals, the Gala Music Evening and Speech Day at Sydney Town Hall. Collaborations with other schools such as Cranbrook, The Scots College and Sydney Grammar create new and stimulating musical contexts for our singers and instrumentalists.

Solo performances are a regular feature of Kambala’s calendar, with public presentations in our weekly lunchtime concerts and assemblies, Music Soirées and Year-level Recital Evenings.

The Music Department is ably assisted by an energetic Music Support Group, which runs fundraising activities and provides help with major events.

 

Sport at Kambala has seen impressive growth in participation rates and has enjoyed noteworthy achievements, at both national and international levels, by individual students and teams in a number of different sporting disciplines. Kambala has outstanding facilities for sport including an indoor heated pool, playing field, gymnasium and tennis courts. Sports offered:

  • Athletics
  • Cross Country
  • Gymnastics
  • Hockey
  • Netball
  • Rhythmic Gymnastics
  • Skiing
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Touch Football
  • Water Polo


Girls are strongly encouraged to play competitive sport and teams successfully take part in competitions and carnivals. Kambala participates in the Independent Girls’ Schools Sporting Association’s (IGSSA) competitions. Some students are selected for IGSSA teams and go on to State and National levels.

Debating and public speaking have long been important in the life of the School. Kambala girls debate with great success in the Archdale Debating Competition, ISDA Competition, Rose Bay Rotary Shield, Inter-House Debating Competition and various social debates with other independent schools.

Students also speak in the Rostrum ‘Voice of Youth’ Competition, Legacy Junior Public Speaking Competition, Plain English-Speaking Award, Eastern Suburbs Public Speaking Competition and the Joyce Gibbons Public Speaking Competition; In addition, the School fields teams in all sections of the AHIGS annual Festival of Speech.

Kambala’s Drama Department provides students with countless opportunities to develop their skills in expression, problem-solving, creativity and public speaking through a number of extra curricular programs and performance opportunities.

Theatresports, musical productions and Drama clubs are just some of the ways girls can explore their interest in Drama.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR

Kambala offers a broad range of Extra Curricular activities, including:

Music

Kambala girls have access to one of Australia’s best school music programs.

Sport

Offering everything from Tennis to Touch to Snowsports, our teams and individuals achieve excellence at local, national and international levels.

Drama

Our strong Drama department promotes participation in a range of activities including musical performances and Theatresports tournaments.

Debating

With a specialist Debating trainer on staff, Kambala debaters achieve success in a number of local and national competitions.

Photography

Girls have access to professional photography equipment and technologies.

Ceramics

Kambala provides students with the opportunity to master Ceramics under the guidance of specialist teachers who are also artists in the field.

Chess

Girls are introduced to Chess at a young age in the Junior School and have the option to pursue this throughout their schooling.

Languages

Girls can accelerate their mastery of languages through additional language studies outside of their normal school day.

OPPORTUNITIES

​Senior School students are given countless opportunities to develop their leadership skills, explore the world around them and realise their talents.

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

  • World Challenge
  • Language Exchange tours
  • International Music tours
  • NASA Space Challenge expedition

LEADERSHIP

  • Student Prefecture and Committees
  • Participation in academic tournaments, locally and nationally
  • Mentoring of younger students

OUTDOOR EDUCATION

  • Numerous camps and excursions in NSW and interstate
  • Community service and participation
  • Duke of Edinburgh Award
  • Science and sustainability excursions

LEARNING EXTENSION

  • Creative camps and excursions
  • Junior athlete development
  • Academic competitions and tournaments
  • Overseas exchange opportunities
  • University partnerships