'We all deserve at a bare minimum - a little RESPECT' (Aretha Franklin)

From time to time issues arise in society which captivate the attention of our young people on which they form strong views. In itself, this is good as we want our students to be socially engaged, to be thinkers and to contribute to the good of society. It is best that they do this in a spirit of humility, knowing that we all learn from others.

In a democracy that cherishes freedom of speech, people have the right to express a point of view without condemnation or harassment. Any disagreement should be conducted respectfully, rationally and reasonably. History provided us with a multitude of lessons where people have had to courage to speak up for the rights of others only to be persecuted or imprisoned for their efforts. Civil rights leaders such as Nelson Mandella, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King Junior readily spring to mind.

I have been greatly impressed by the energy and commitment of our new Student Representative Council who are demonstrating great initiative in designing strategies to tackle a number of issues that will improve our School. We now allocate time at each School Assembly for our SRC to speak to the student body and to gather support for causes the students feel strongly about. Student voice is an important aspect within any school for if positive change to attitude and practice is to be made, the students must have ownership in the process.

In a democratic society – ideas will be contested and universal agreement is rare. This insight is particularly important for young people who bring to their opinions the passion, exuberance and idealism of youth, not always tempered by much life experience. What is important, particularly in a school setting, is that our discussions are always respectful, measured and reasonable.

I congratulate our SRC for their initiative, courage and commitment to express their desire to make KWS a finer place and for the mature and respectful manner in which they are clearly expressing their view. Well done!

The world recently lost a woman who used her marvellous talents as a singer and performer as a platform to combat injustice and disrespect in society.

During our recent School Assembly, I took a moment to pay tribute to Aretha Franklin, the great African American singer who has passed away at the age of 76. For more than half a century, her music etched itself into popular culture and her talent and omnipresence earned her the title ‘The Queen of Soul’.

In the hours following her death, Presidents rushed to praise Aretha’s contribution.

But Aretha Franklin was far more than a singer. She used her magnificent voice and the platform it provided for advancing feminism and the civil rights. She was a powerful advocate for the black community and black women in particular. Aretha did not walk the middle line in an effort not to offend white sensibilities - she comfortably embraced her authentic blackness in both her music and activism. Her song choice strongly reflected this sensibility and this was at a time in 1960’s and 1970’s where women and African American people experienced great oppression and inequality.

Former American President, Barack Obama captured Aretha Franklin’s significance when he said:

“American history wells up when Aretha sings. Nobody embodies more fully the connection between the African American Spiritual, the Blues, R&B, Rock and Roll – the way that hardship and sorrow were transformed into something full of beauty and vitality and hope.”

Franklin’s first great hit RESPECT was released in 1967 and it became an instant classic. It was not the first version of the song which was originally sung by a man. She took the song and made it her own, altering some of the words and while maintaining the theme of respect shifted the focus from a woman showing respect to her man, to the respect we should all give to women.

During her life, Aretha demonstrated an unapologetic and fierce commitment to the cause of social justice in all its forms and fought for the rights of black women. She defended the oppressed and imprisoned at a time when it was dangerous to do so.

Aretha powerfully demonstrated the values that we strive to live at Kinross Wolaroi. She was a woman of courage and resilience, who valued respect and inclusiveness and displayed a commitment to the creation of a just and fair society.

Franklin’s songs were a testament to the struggles of black woman and as such were deeply political.

She will be remembered not only for her majestic voice and the power of her music but also for her shrewd political courage.

Koristers perform with Opera Australia in ‘Madame Butterfly’, by Puccini

On Tuesday 28th selected students from the KWS Koristers performed with Opera Australia in their National tour of Madame Butterfly by Puccini. The students were invited to be part of the production through the Regional Children’s Chorus program for Opera Australia. This is the third time that the Koristers have been invited to form the Opera Chorus for the Regional Tour. Our students are very fortunate to be given the opportunity to work with professional cast, orchestra and crew members in a professional opera production.

The Koristers sang as part of the wedding scene and the humming chorus, and were on stage for a number of other scenes. William McPhee was chosen to play the role of ‘Sorrow’, which he played convincingly. All of the students were dressed in beautiful traditional Japanese costumes.

Our students sang beautifully on the night and were fortunate to perform to a sold-out audience. Thank you to Mrs Kate Edwards for preparing the students so well, and for her organisation of the event. Thank you also to Mr Bruce Paine, and Mrs Katie Sinclair who assisted backstage.

New Leadership Positions

Boarding House Captains: Jema O’Neill and Fletcher Taylor

Captain of Music: Oscar Tierney and the Vice Captain of Music is Olivia Small

Cadets: the SUO is Olivia Hilder and the 2IC is Isaac Prince. The RSM is Katie Coleman

Congratulations

Julia Stuart - Junior Barbarian Polocrosse Team – success in South Africa

One of our Year 10 students, Julia Stuart was selected to play in the Barbarian Polocrosse Team made up of riders under 16 years, from Zambia, NZ, UK and Australia. Competitors played in the local Paddock Tournament before travelling north to Shongweni Polocrosse Club to compete in three days of Test matches. The Under 16’s Barbarian Team defeated South Africa 3-0; Julia won Best Overall Goal Shooter and also the Best Female Barbarian player. The horse that Julia rode was also awarded Overall Champion Horse. Congratulations, Julia!

NSW Swimming Short Course Championships

KWS students recently competed in the NSW Short Course Swimming Championships, placing 18th in the point score. An improvement on our 35th placing, last year! The team came away with 4 golds medals, 4 Silver Medals, and 14 top ten finishes. Collette Lyon’s results were as impressive winning Gold in the 200m IM, 400m IM, 100m Breast Stroke and 200m Fly, Silver in the 200m Breast Stroke and 50 Freestyle and 4th in the 100m Butterfly. Other Medal winners were Ethan Crisp who won a Silver Medal in 400m Freestyle; Mercede Cornelius-Feltus won a Silver in 200m Butterfly and Oliver McLaughlin winning Bronze in 100m Back Stroke. Really outstanding results, team. Well done and Congratulations!

Holly Gutterson – International Camp Draft Competition (USA)

Holly Gutterson, Year 10, was recently selected as the youngest member of five in the Australian Team to compete in the American Quarter Horse Association’s Youth World Cup. Holly competed on an ‘unfamiliar’ horse chosen by ballot, in Cutting, Hunt Seat Equitation, Hunter under Saddle and Showmanship, receiving two positions in finals, an 8th and a 9th position. Holly was also awarded the Coaches Award at the Event Presentation, and is reported to have had ‘the most amazing experience’ at the event. Well done, Holly.

Dr Andrew Parry

Principal

Upcoming Events

String Concert

Industrial Technology Exhibition

Spring Soiree