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.
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.
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–present)
Our Principal
Shane Hogan
Mr Shane Hogan, a highly experienced and respected educator and leader, was officially appointed as Principal of Kambala in October 2017 after serving as Acting Principal for six months.
Shane is a former Principal of St Ignatius’ College, Riverview (2002–2013) and has previously filled a similar role as Acting Principal for St Vincent’s College (2014), a boarding and day school for girls in Potts Point. He joined us from The Scots College where he had been the Director of School Improvement for the previous two years.
Shane is passionate about educating the whole girl and providing a happy and safe environment for students, staff and the broader community.
“Children need to be happy to learn, so the school environment must be one that focuses on the welfare and happiness of its students. I believe that schools must be places that not only challenge students academically and spiritually, but places where students feel safe, comfortable, cared for and accepted.
“For students to enjoy school, staff also need to feel appreciated and valued. Central to my educational philosophy is a genuine commitment to the wellbeing of all staff and students.”
EXECUTIVE TEAM
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:
- Academic excellence
- Care
- Community
- Sense of place
Our Strategy is underpinned by our core values and an evolved vision and mission, which best represents Kambala’s heritage and future.