Background
Lambert was born in Melbourne, the son of Alan Sydney Morrison Lambert.
Lambert was born in Melbourne, the son of Alan Sydney Morrison Lambert.
He attended Newington College Preparatory School, Lindfield (1965–1966), before his family moved to the New South Wales south coast. He then completed his primary education at Ulladulla Primary School.
Lambert received an arts degree (in Literature, Modern History and Sociology) and a teaching diploma (in English and History) from Griffith University. His Master of Arts degree (in twentieth century literature and Joseph Conrad) was awarded by the University of London in 1990 and he was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (for his thesis on the philosophy of education) by the University of Cambridge. At Cambridge, Lambert represented his college, Hughes Hall, in rugby, rowing and cricket.
From 1984 to 1989, Lambert taught in independent schools in Queensland.
He has been active in support of indigenous education in Australia and Cambodia. In 1998, he was appointed as Principal of Swan Christian College, an independent, coeducational secondary school of 1400 students located on the northern outskirts of Perth.
Until 2006, Lambert lectured in the School of Education at Edith Cowan University. In 2007, he was appointed Principal of The Scots College.
Lambert is Secretary of the AAGPS Headmasters" Standing Committee.
He was president of the Australian Association for Pastoral Care in Education for five years. He has served as the chief executive officer of the Swan Christian Education Association, and has been an educational adviser to a number of Christian Aboriginal schools in Western Australia. He has recently overseen the establishment of student service learning initiatives in Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea.
His secondary education was undertaken at The Southport School (1974–1978) where, in his final year, he was School Captain, played in the 1st XV Rugby, stroked the 1st VIII Rowing, was hurdling champion, played in the jazz and concert bands, and attained the rank of CUO in the Cadet Corps. He was awarded a Gold in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
In the wider sporting field, Lambert was a member of the Queensland Under 21 Rugby Union team and rowed in the Queensland Under 19 Rowing crew. He was a founding member of the Macquarie Christian Studies Centre, Macquarie University, and wrote and taught Graduate and Undergraduate courses for Edith Cowan University, the National Institute for Christian Education, and Wesley Institute for Ministry and the Arts.