A Kambala education: uplifting young women

Since 1887, Kambala has played a pivotal role in shaping the lives of girls, from their earliest years to their final exams and well beyond.

We are fiercely proud to be a girls’ school that values an education specifically for girls.

We are specialists in uplifting young women: every aspect of our teaching and learning is tailored for them, and every program for wellbeing, health development, leadership and learning caters to their specific needs.

To us, every student is remarkable in the making, and through our approach and with our guidance, girls can write their unique story, shape their personal narrative and realise their ambitions on the world stage.

Our purpose is to instil unwavering courage and curiosity to educate young women of ambition, integrity and consequence.

A transformative learning experience

LIFEWORTHY LEARNING

We prepare every girl to be agile, adaptable and aspirational, and to be furnished with the necessary cognitive flexibility and emotional intelligence to make a positive impact in an ever-changing world. What we teach girls – and importantly, how we teach them – is of the utmost importance if they are to successfully navigate life’s demands and complexities in the global landscape.

EMPOWERING CONFIDENCE THROUGH SISTERHOOD

Kambala embodies the ethos of sisterhood, and this permeates across peer groups and through years.

Both staff and girls bring shape and life to this concept, developing the appropriate attitudes and positive mindsets that together foster kindness, respect, collaboration and unwavering support.

By instilling this approach, girls get to learn from each other and share their highs and lows in academic and personal contexts, so that together they build confidence, develop clearer understanding, gain deeper respect and tolerance and, ultimately, thrive.

Young women deserve the opportunity to listen to and have a voice in discussions around policy, prevailing economic or social orthodoxies and be part of the conversation about leadership, diversity and inclusion. "

Principal, Jane Danvers.

ENSURING WELLNESS

One of our great strengths is the importance we place in the personal character development of each student, building her individual resilience and ability to shine as a local and global citizen.

Ensuring every girl’s wellbeing is a central priority to how we structure their learning and development. By providing an environment that is safe and supportive, and offering a wide range of opportunities to develop interests and passions, girls develop confidence in themselves and their surroundings, and can create a strong, positive connection with life’s journey. Every girl is seen, valued and heard. Every girl is known for her character, relationships, intellect and ability. We are a school of 1,000 students, large enough to provide choice and opportunity and intimate enough to belong.

We see difference as strength, compassion as power, and know our participation matters.

STAYING CONNECTED - THE HOUSE SYSTEM

The House System was introduced by Principal Mrs Stewart in 1928. Initially, there were four Houses: two Junior, Gurney and Wentworth, and two Senior, Roseby and Dumaresq. When Miss Hawthorne became Principal in 1933, she removed Dumaresq and the distinction between Junior and Senior School Houses. By the time Miss Hawthorne retired in 1966, student numbers had increased to over 600. In recognition of this and her outstanding service to the School, the subsequent Principal, Miss Gibbons, reintroduced a fourth House, Hawthorne, in 1967.

Every girl, from Prep to Year 12 is allocated to a House upon joining and remains part of that House throughout her time at Kambala.

The Angus Cup is contested between each House each year, and is won by the House accumulating the most points over a range of inter-house competitions.

Gurney
Motto: En avant (Forward)

Gurney is named after the Founder of the School, Miss Louise Gurney, and has an emerald green and white five-cornered badge.

Hawthorne
Motto: Fortiter et fideliter (Bravely and faithfully)

Hawthorne is named for Miss Fifi Hawthorne. The badge is a black shield with a white scroll.

Roseby
Motto: Acta non verba (Deeds not words)

Roseby is named for Miss Roseby. Its badge is blue and white and modelled on the old Dumaresq crest which can be seen on the gates leading to Tivoli Avenue.

Wentworth
Motto: Honor ante honores (Honour before honours)

Wentworth is named for W.C. Wentworth, grandson of the statesman and original Founder of the School, when it became a Foundation School in 1926. The badge is a red and white striped shield.

ENRICHING LEARNING

Our approach to Learning Enrichment is holistic and balanced and we provide a programme that both supports and challenges our students, ensuring they reach their full potential. Regardless of their academic or social disposition, we value and cherish all our girls equally, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where every girl can thrive.

BUILDING LEADERSHIP

We are dedicated to nurturing women of integrity. We actively promote leadership among all our girls, emphasising the importance of leading with purpose and vision. We believe every girl at Kambala should have the opportunity to develop her leadership capability whether through a formal position or throughout the process of her learning journey. Our goal is to cultivate the leaders of tomorrow, instilling in our students the values of moral-driven leadership and forward-thinking, so they may graduate with maturity, resilience and resourcefulness, and a broad global perspective.

FOSTERING GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the importance of nurturing globally minded students has never been more critical. We are proud to be raising such global citizens—young women who believe in global justice and act to make the world a safer, fairer, and more sustainable place where human rights are protected and respected.