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
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
Kambala consistently ranks in the top independent girls’ schools in Sydney.
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
Music
Sport
Drama
Debating
Photography
Ceramics
Chess
Languages
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
