At Kambala, we believe that education is not only about academic excellence—it’s about empowering every girl to thrive holistically. In 2025, our student-led Sun Safety Workshops have continued to grow in reach and impact, exemplifying our commitment to wellbeing and proactive health education.
Following the success of our 2024 pilot, this year’s program has expanded significantly. We’ve delivered engaging, evidence-informed sessions to students from schools including Inner Sydney High and Ascham, covering everything from practical skincare routines to the science behind UV exposure and the long-term effects of sun damage.
We are proud that our work is being recognised at the highest levels. Through consultation with figures such as Greg Warren MP and Deputy Premier Prue Carr MP (Minister for Education and Early Learning), our initiatives are helping shape broader education policy. In a major milestone, Mr Simon Board has been invited by NESA to help develop Sun Safety curriculum support materials for the new Years 7–10 PDHPE syllabus, to be introduced in 2027.
As part of their PDHPE curriculum, our Year 8 students have undertaken a six-week program focused on sun safety. These sessions include hands-on activities exploring sunscreen ingredients, daily skincare habits, and guest presentations—including deeply personal stories from melanoma survivors.
This program would not be possible without our valued partnerships:
- Dermscreen, led by Dr Philip Tong (CEO), has provided expert input and adolescent-focused skincare demonstrations through their clinical team.
- MakMax has connected students to the design and engineering of sun-safe environments, showcasing the role of shade structures in public health.
- SC Johnson and the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse have extended the impact of our program by offering resources and support that link sun safety to real-world healthcare.
One highlight this year was a bespoke Sun Safety and Self-Esteem session for Junior School students, led by news presenter Kirstie Fitzpatrick. Her warmth and insight brought authenticity to discussions around confidence, skin care, and body image in the context of sun safety.
Beyond the classroom, Kambala is also contributing to ongoing academic research. Mr Board is currently working with Charles Sturt University on a study assessing student knowledge, behaviours, and outcomes in relation to sun safety. This culminates in a much anticipated research paper titled ‘Can dedicated workshops and associated syllabus implementation be used to improve high school students’ knowledge and understanding of skin care and protection?’ to be released this year which investigates Surveys completed by students explore everything from sunscreen application habits to how different age groups understand and respond to skincare needs.