From the 

Head of Junior School

Specialist services in the Junior School

At Kinross Wolaroi School, as in all schools, we cater for a wide spectrum of student learning needs along a continuum which encompasses cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. 

Our aim is to promote inclusive practices within the learning community; thus enabling the diverse range of learners to successfully access the curriculum and participate in the life of the School. We aim to cater for all students’ learning needs through identifying their learning approach, scaffolding learning, differentiation and adjusting the curriculum to develop all students. This requires professional development and collaborative planning involving teachers, parents and the student along the learning continuum.

Within all classes there are differences and diversity. Our teachers work to provide meaningful and equitable access to the curriculum for all students. By enhancing the motivation to learn from multiple perspectives, through collaborative teaching approaches, our goal is to develop academic and social skills, increase self-esteem, and more positive relationships with others in the community.

Students in the Junior School are well supported by their classroom teachers. In turn teachers work together in teams led by Mrs Amanda Dodson and Mrs Virginia Milliken who meet with staff each week to discuss items ranging from academics to wellbeing to experiences outside the classroom. In the course of these meetings, discussions are held on how best to meet students at their point of need at that time. In some cases, this might mean changes in learning activities or more individualised focus in the classroom or small group activities focussing on a particular skill such as literacy or spelling. The goal in providing these is to ensure all students can access the curriculum, regardless of their level of readiness.

Our Learning Support department work closely alongside teachers in delivering small group lessons using researched based programs. In classrooms they are an additional person for many literacy and numeracy lessons, increasing the amount of time students have working with an adult.

In some instances, students require specific specialised support. In 2022 the Junior School has welcomed Lucy Zuman from Central West Language and Learning and Mrs Sarah Davis from Total Health Orange Occupational Therapy to the School. Having these services on site has meant families no longer need to withdraw students from School to attend appointments. There is more timely communication between services and the class teacher in implementing strategies in the classroom. 

In some instances your GP or paediatrician may recommend these services. At other times the School may raise the value of undertaking an assessment. This is always a conversation and families may not choose to access the services provided on site or wish to undertake these assessments. 

Central West Language and Learning 

In addition to providing one on one intervention Lucy Zuman offers a screening assessment to all Pre-K children at Kinross Wolaroi as they prepare to transition to Kindergarten. This opportunity is available for the remainder of Term 3.

The screener is age normed and can assist in determining if your child demonstrates appropriate understanding and use of language, production of speech sounds, attention, and social skills with peers. Specifically, it provides an overall snapshot of your child’s skills in the areas of: 

• Semantics (including vocabulary, language form, function and use) 
• Receptive Language Skills (ability to understand concepts, follow directions, and process information)
• Expressive Language Skills (ability to express thoughts, feelings and needs appropriately for their age, use language and concepts within narratives)
• Articulation of sounds 
• Speech fluency (whether a child stutters)
• Voice (volume, rate, breath support, intonation and vocal quality)

The screener takes approximately 20 minutes and will be completed in the Pre-K classroom. Each parent will receive a short summary report outlining their child’s performance and any further recommendations where necessary. 

Cost: $100

Includes:

•  Implementation of the screener
• Analysis and interpretation of results
• A written summary report outlining results and recommendations 

If you would like your child to receive this screener, please refer to the letter in the Junior School Term 3 Week 5 communication email or contact Ms Ann-Margaret Gunther in Pre-Kinder for a copy.

Total Health Orange Occupational Therapy

Total Health Orange Occupational Therapy is currently offering school readiness screeners for students in Pre-Kinder with one of their trained therapy assistants. The assessments can be completed onsite at Pre-Kinder or at the clinic. Through accessing this service through the School families are not placed on a waitlist that is currently 12 months long.

The assessment includes:

• 30 minute assessment of gross motor skills, fine motor skills, handwriting, regulation, attention and concentration considering school readiness skills
• A summary report outlining strengths and any concerns/areas for improvement to be provided to the family and Pre-Kinder staff
• A few home/school activities that will assist to build the necessary skills to be ready for Kindergarten

The cost per child is $80. 

Families after receiving assessment results and if required have the option of ongoing therapy sessions at $95/hour with the Therapy Assistant and/or the development of a home program costing $95.

If you would like further information on these services, please either contact Sarah and Lucy directly or enquire through Kinross Wolaroi Junior School Reception at junioroffice@kws.nsw.edu.au. Payment for these services is directly to Lucy Zuman from Central West Language and Learning and Sarah Davis from Total Health Orange Occupational Therapy, not Kinross Wolaroi School.

The School is fortunate to have these services available for families on site. In saying this, while we do offer them there is no obligation for families to access them. 

Numeracy Workshop for Parents

I would like to invite families on Tuesday 30 August to join our staff and Mrs Fiona Walker, Project Lead: Numeracy, Student Services, from the AISNSW (Association of Independent Schools of NSW) to participate in a Numeracy workshop from 6:00pm-7:15pm in the Junior School Glasshouse. The workshop will provide an insight into current classroom approaches and how students can be supported at home. This is only part of the conversation. I encourage families as you meet with teachers over the course of a year to discuss your child and to ask their teacher about what they have been learning. I look forward to welcoming families on Tuesday 30 August.

Parent Numeracy Workshop

Date: Tuesday 30 August

Time: 6:00-7:15pm

Location: Junior School Glasshouse

RSVP: Friday 26 August 2022 

BOOK HERE

Kinross Students making their mark 

At Kinross we value and strive for academic rigour. Students have a myriad of opportunities to engage in enriching learning experiences which in some instances the School provides or facilitates student access to them.  Please share with us your child’s interest, passions, and achievements by emailing junioroffice@kws.nsw.edu.au.

Our students have been engaged in a variety of experiences in recent weeks.

U11’S Western Conference Carnival in Dubbo

On Sunday 7 August, Ingrid West, Isabelle Provost, Cassie Philippe and Louis Blythe from Year 5 represented the Orange Junior Hockey Association at the Under 11 Western Conference Carnival in Dubbo. They played numerous matches on the day against teams from Bathurst, Dubbo, Molong, Mudgee and Parkes. The focus of the carnival was on developing as young hockey players, improving their skills and having lots of fun on the day.

Orange Eisteddfod

Several Junior School students took up the opportunity to participate in the Speech and Drama section of the Orange Eisteddfod. 

There were many excellent results. Ingrid West received 3rd place in her category. Isabelle Provost, Mia Martin, Millie Sullivan, Jimmy Jones, and others also placed well across multiple sections. Mia Martin, Alexandra Whitehead and Isabelle Provost swept the pool in the Monologue Solo category. 

Alexandra Whitehead placed first in Mime Solo and Original Verse Solo. Second in Australian Verse Solo, Humorous Solo and third in Prose Memory Solo. Mia Martin and Grace Seggar won their duo ‘The Last Cheerleader’.

This event was a great learning experience for the children who not only competed against each other but supported and encouraged each other throughout the day.

Ten Pin Bowling

Alex Coleman participated in the Orange City Masters Championship over the weekend. He bowled 18 games over two days and finished 3rd overall,  achieving more importantly a PB game of 181.

Mrs Denise Hayward  

Head of Junior School