About Kambala

Located in Sydney’s Rose Bay, Kambala is a vibrant, independent day and boarding school for girls up to 18 years.

We offer a choice of learning pathways. Girls can achieve the IB Diploma or the NSW HSC. Kambala inspires academic excellence, with the School consistently ranking among the top non-selective girls’ schools in Sydney.

At Kambala, each girl is recognised as an individual and valued for her unique qualities and talents — the whole girl.

History

Inspired learning. Empowering young women of integrity.

Since our pioneering days in the late 1800s, the Kambala community has shared a common goal: to educate ‘the whole girl’.

Kambala began as a humble class of 12 girls, taught in a terrace house in Woollahra by Miss Louisa Gurney, the daughter of an English clergyman. Louisa was later joined by Mademoiselle Augustine Soubeiran who became Co-Principal. The School moved in 1891 to a larger property in Bellevue Hill called ‘Kambala’.

In 1913, with an enrolment of nearly 50, the School moved again to its current site, on New South Head Road in Rose Bay. The School operated within the Tivoli townhouse, the home of Captain William Dumaresq. Tivoli has undergone several extensions and restorations; today, it remains the home to Kambala’s Boarders in Years 7 to 9, who enjoy some of the best harbour views Sydney has to offer.

In 1926, Kambala became a Church of England Foundation School with an independent council.

Massie House, for Kambala girls in Prep to Year 2, was founded at Vaucluse Hall on Coolong Road in 1949 and opened in 1950. In 1974, the site was sold and Massie students relocated to join the main campus on New South Head Road.

Kambala has strengthened its reputation for academic excellence and the education of the whole girl through continually evolving teaching and learning practices, improving facilities and expanding the opportunities provided to students.

Past Principals

Louisa Gurney (1887–1914)
Augustine Soubeiran (1891–1914)
Minnie Roseby and Clara Roseby (1914–1927)
Flora Stewart (1927–1932)
Fifi Hawthorne (1933–1966)
Joyce Gibbons (1966–1984)
Barbara Monk (1984–1987)
Peter Moxham (1988–1999)
Roderick West (1999)
Margaret White (2000–2013)
Debra Kelliher (2014–2017)
Shane Hogan (2017–2021)
Amanda Bell (2021)

Our Principal

Ms Jane Danvers

BA, GradDipEd, GradDipEd(Lit&Lang), MEd, MACEL, MAICD, MACE

On 17 January 2022 we welcomed our new Principal, Ms Jane Danvers. Ms Danvers has served the Australian educational community for over 20 years. Prior to Kambala, she was Principal of Wilderness School for 15 years, one of the most successful girls’ schools in South Australia. She also served as the Presiding Member of the South Australian Certificate of Education Board (SACE) since.

Along with her leadership in education, Ms Danvers is Chair of the Jam Factory, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes outstanding design and craftsmanship through widely acclaimed studios and galleries. These roles illustrate Ms Danvers’ deep understanding of the intricacies and importance of wise leadership and good governance. She has sat on numerous industry-related committees, most recently the Premier’s Council for Women in SA; Committee for Economic Development SA/NT State Advisory Board (CEDA); and the Andy Thomas Space Foundation Education Advisory Committee.

Committed to continuous learning, Ms Danvers has completed a Masters of Education at the University of South Australia, Oxford University’s High Performance Leadership Programme and Harvard University’s Leading Learning that Matters Project.

Throughout her professional life, Ms Danvers has contributed to the wider educational debate in Australia and championed pedagogical advancement in schools. Co-author of the 2020 book Five Ways of Being: What Learning Leaders Think, Do and Say Every Day, Ms Danvers has mentored new principals in the Leading Learning Program at the Association Heads of Independent Schools of Australia. Ms Danvers will be able to apply this experience to enrich our leading Kambala Institute of Teaching Excellence (KITE) Program.

Ms Danvers is dedicated to the significant achievements in the advancement of women and girls’ education and the advocacy for gender equality and diversity. Her experience in promoting girls’ leadership positions her well to enhance our students’ passport to SHINE program.

Ms Danvers educational leadership has been recognised nationally. She is the recipient of Principals Australia Institute John Laing Award and the AISSA Noel Volk Excellence Award. In 2021 she was awarded the Australian College of Educational Leaders (ACEL) Alby Jones Gold Medal for her influence and outstanding contribution to the study and practice of educational leadership.

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Carolyn Gedling, BA, MTeach, COGE

Deputy Principal - Academic

Samantha Gooch, BEd(Hons), MEd(EdLead)

Executive Director of KITE

Joanne Sarmiento, BSc, BEd, CELTA

Deputy Principal - Wellbeing and Boarding

Rebecca Hambour, DipBus, DipMarketing

Head of Marketing, Communications and Engagement

Stuart Coppin, MEd, BBehavSc, GradDipSocSc, GradDipEd

Deputy Principal - Head of Junior School

Danielle Kassoua, BBus(HRM&IR)

Head of People and Culture

Tamara Lang, BPsych(Hons), MPsych(Clin), EMBA, DPhil, MAPS

Deputy Principal - Strategy, Operations and Development

Mary-Anne Wiles, BComm(Acc), ACA

Business Manager and CFO

SCHOOL COUNCIL

Ainslie van Onselen, LLB, MAppin, Grad DipAppFin, GAICD

President, appointed 2018, current parent

Alix Rimington, BA(MedCom)

Appointed 2019, Old Girl, KOGU nominee

Catherine Happ, BBus, BMus, MIR

Vice President, appointed 2017, current parent

Dr Mary Coupland, PhD, MEd, DipEd, BSc

Appointed 2021

Dr Giselle Gerber, MBBS(Hons), BSc(Med), FRACP, FRCPA

Appointed 2018, Archbishop nominee, Old Girl, current parent

Stuart Rose, BCom

Appointed 2022, current parent

Caroline Best, BA, LLB

Appointed 2021, Archbishop nominee

Rowena Curlewis, BA, GMQ, GAICD

Appointed 2023, Old Girl, KOGU Nominee

STRATEGIC PLAN

It is an exciting time in Kambala’s 131-year history and Kambala’s Strategic Plan 2019-2023 will lead us over the next five years and build on the ambitions and direction of our heritage.

At Kambala we nurture and challenge every girl to realise her full potential. We do this by focusing on four strategic pillars:

Our Strategy is underpinned by our core values and an evolved vision and mission, which best represents Kambala’s heritage and future.

Visit Our Gallery

Carolyn Geddling, BA, MTeach, COGE

Deputy Principal - Academic

Carolyn is responsible for developing a culture of innovative and exceptional teaching, and for leading, designing and managing high quality programs which to meet individual needs of students. She is responsible for leading the Schools’ Academic Leaders team.

Samantha Gooch, BEd(Hons), MEd(EdLead)

Executive Director of KITE

Samantha plays a pivotal role in the attraction, retention and development of teaching staff. She is actively involved in developing and implementing the Kambala Institute of Teaching Excellence (KITE) program that develops a culture of improvement in teaching by placing learning at the centre of strategic and operational planning.

Joanne Sarmiento, BSc, BEd, CELTA

Deputy Principal - Wellbeing and Boarding

Joanne is responsible for the overall development of school policies and practices relating to student wellbeing, pastoral care and the management of behavioural development. The role is also responsible for the leadership, operations, care and development of the Boarding Community.

Rebecca Hambour, DipBus, DipMarketing

Head of Marketing and Communications

Rebecca is responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of all marketing, branding and communications strategies in line with the Strategic Plan. Community engagement and stakeholder relations also form part of her role responsibility.

Stuart Coppin, MEd, BBehavSc, GradDipSocSc, GradDipEd

Deputy Principal - Head of Junior School

Stuart is responsible for the wellbeing, attendance and academic care of all students from Early Learning (Hampshire House) to Year 6 and the efficient functioning of relevant staff.

Danielle Kassoua, BBus(HRM&IR)

Head of People and Culture

Danielle is responsible to the Principal for the management of the overall Human Resources function at the School. She works closely with staff and other business units to promote Kambala as an employer of choice in order to attract and retain high quality staff.

Tamara Lang, BPsych(Hons), MPsych(Clin), EMBA, DPhil, MAPS

Deputy Principal - Strategy, Operations and Development

Tamara leads change to deliver continuous school improvement initiatives, with a focus on innovation. Working closely with the Principal, Tamara provides evidence-based support for the efficient management of the School’s strategic operations. She also oversees the Philanthropic strategies for the School.

Mary-Anne Wiles, BComm(Acc), ACA

Business Manager and CFO

Mary-Anne is responsible for all matters of business administration and financial control of the School. She is accountable for ensuring that the School meets its statutory obligations and conducts its business under its governance charters.

Ainslie van Onselen, LLB, MAppin, Grad DipAppFin, GAICD

President, appointed 2018, current parent

Ainslie is an experienced executive with a background in financial services, as a litigation lawyer and Non-Executive Director with various listed, government and not-for-profit organisations. She is the current CEO of Chartered Accountants, Australia and New Zealand and a Board Commissioner of Legal Aid NSW. More recently she spent six years at Westpac Group running a number of divisions, including Managing Director and CEO of RAMS. She has practiced as a litigation lawyer, including as a partner in a specialist corporate and commercial practice in WA. Ainslie has two daughters at Kambala and lives locally having grown up in regional Australia.

Alix Rimington, BA(MedCom)

Appointed 2019, Old Girl, KOGU nominee

Alix has 20 years’ experience working with some of Australia’s leading corporations locally and internationally. Her professional experience spans retail, FMCG, telecommunications, technology, media, international policy, corporate venture capital (CVC) and the global startup ecosystem. She is currently General Manager – Strategic Partnerships at Woolworths. Prior to this, Alix spent six years at Coca-Cola Amatil, most recently as Co-Founder and Head of Amatil X, Coca-Cola Amatil’s corporate venturing platform (CVC). Alix spent 10 years at Telstra in senior corporate affairs roles and was Communications Director at B20 Australia (the business group advising the G20 on policy) during Australia’s G20 host year.

Catherine Happ, BBus, BMus, MIR

Vice President, appointed 2017, current parent

Catherine has worked as a ministerial adviser to senior government officials and has been a respected Investment Adviser at JB Were for the past 21 years where she is currently an Executive Director. Catherine is also a Board member for The Butterfly Foundation, which provides support for those with eating disorders.

Dr Mary Coupland, PhD, MEd, DipEd, BSc

Appointed 2021

Dr Coupland is a highly skilled secondary and tertiary educator in Mathematics. She is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Technology, Sydney after having been Director of the Mathematics and Science Study Centre there for 13 years. As a consultant Dr Coupland contributes to syllabus development for the NSW Education Standards Authority and has been an advisor to the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority regarding the Australian Curriculum.

Dr Giselle Gerber, MBBS(Hons), BSc(Med), FRACP, FRCPA

Appointed 2018, Archbishop nominee, Old Girl, current parent

Giselle was educated at Kambala and the University of NSW, graduating in Medicine with the University Medal. She currently works as a Consultant Haematologist at Prince of Wales Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Women, Randwick, and is responsible for clinical care, laboratory oversight, junior doctor supervision and training. She also chairs a working party for NSW Health Pathology. Giselle established the HOW Collaborative (Haematology in Obstetric and Women’s Health) – a national multidisciplinary collaboration that focuses on research, education and advocacy for women with Haematological disorders, especially in pregnancy. Giselle and her husband have three daughters and a son, and are active members at St Luke’s Anglican Church, Clovelly.

Caroline Best, BA, LLB

Appointed 2021, Archbishop nominee

Caroline has practiced as a lawyer, worked for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and held the role of Chief Advocacy Officer at the International Justice Mission Australia. More recently she has worked at the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Office of the eSafety Commissioner and is currently an Executive Officer at Austrade.

Rowena Curlewis, BA, GMQ, GAICD

Appointed 2023, Old Girl and KOGU Nominee

Rowena is CEO & Co-founder of beverage design agency Denomination, which has offices in Sydney, London and San Francisco. Their work has helped countless drinks brands launch or transform through brand positioning, storytelling and design. Rowena has lectured and chaired panels in design, innovation and packaging.