Welcome to one of our final ‘Takeover Thursday’s‘ …. next year we will be introducing a new format and I’m really looking forward to revealing just what that will be in the next few months. I can give a little hint that it involves a new name for our business, a new look and … nope that’s it. I cannot reveal all! After 21 years of supporting families to discover boarding schools and ensuring that support continues for the journey, we are embarking on a renewed path for the next generation.
There’s a lot happening here and we know that the changes will make it even easier for families across Australia to discover the story of our boarding schools.
Now, today I wanted to shine a light on the happenings at Kambala in Rose Bay (Sydney). Over the past few years, Kambala has undergone a significant transformation, shifting from a larger boarding cohort to a smaller, more intimate group of around 50 boarders. This change, while not without its challenges, has allowed them to create a truly unique, “boutique” boarding experience that feels like family.
City schools with smaller campuses, like Kambala, face a tough road when it comes to keeping boarding programs alive – especially when those campuses were built for a different time. It’s not just a logistical issue but a financial one too. I have seen a few schools over the past few decades shut their boarding doors rather than find a solution, but Kambala has managed to rise to the occasion.
They’ve developed a new model that keeps their rich history of boarding alive, while focusing on creating a nurturing, supportive environment for every student.
The intimate size of their boarding community means that every boarder truly gets the care and attention they deserve. It’s the kind of place where students feel at home, valued, and part of a close-knit family.
It’s been inspirational to see how Kambala continues to embrace the change, finding solutions to keep their boarding legacy strong and ensure that country girls suited to a smaller boarding environment have options to consider. And on the edge of one of the most beautiful locations in Australia! Overlooking Sydney harbour.
In this Takeover Thursday, I’m happy to share more about how Kambala’s new approach to boarding is giving their students a nurturing and unique experience, and how they continue to build on a proud tradition.
Take a look, and I hope you enjoy reading about how Kambala is creating something really special for its boarders.
A GLOBAL SISTERHOOD
Family-Style Boarding
Kambala offers a family-style Boarding experience for approximately 50 girls from Year 7 – Year 12, in our purpose built Boarding House Fernbank, adjacent to the school.
Located close to Sydney Harbour, in Rose Bay, we are minutes from the Rose Bay shopping village and the eastern beaches and close to the city centre.
Kambala’s Boarding experience is a nurturing one, where students develop holistically. Our Boarding model focuses on fostering a strong sense of belonging for our Boarders and a
strong sense of community for their families, supporting academic engagement, and promoting healthy lifestyle habits so our girls thrive. The model is also enhanced by the
pillars of holistic well-being: healthy sleep patterns, balanced nutrition, and regular exercise and fresh air.
We pride ourselves on a robust pastoral support system, established to guide and assist students in their wellbeing journey. Small cohort mentoring forms a central part of the
Boarding program informed by current best practice in girls’ development.
Academic support
Our Boarding House offers academic support through a combination of internal and external resources.
An external tutoring company visits two nights each week to assist students from Years 7 to 12 with any additional academic needs.
In addition, Kambala has two qualified English teachers on staff who are available at all times to provide ongoing academic support.
Sisterhood
At Kambala, every boarder is more than just a student—they are known, valued, and embraced as a sister.
From the moment you join us, you become part of our family: a nurturing community dedicated to raising young women of integrity.
Our graduates leave not only with maturity, resilience, and resourcefulness but also with a global perspective grounded in respect and a deep understanding of meaningful relationships.
A Kambala Education: Uplifting Young Women
Kambala embraces a vertical boarding model, fostering connections among girls across all year levels. This approach is complemented by flexible rooming arrangements: Year 12 boarders enjoy the privacy of individual rooms, while students in Years 7 to 11 have the opportunity to room with peers from different year groups.
This thoughtful flexibility strengthens the bonds of sisterhood and nurtures the close-knit, family-style atmosphere within the Boarding House.
Thank you to Kambala, Sydney, NSW for showing us around their school. As always, enjoy the resources on our website helping you and your family make decisions about boarding school & supporting you once you’re there.