Message from the 

Head of the Junior School

Celebration

2021 has certainly been a unique year for all of us. Personally, starting at Kinross Wolaroi School in January I would never have predicted that I would not only start the year without being able to welcome mums and dads into the School, but am now ending the year in the same manner. I have really missed seeing you about the place this year! Having parents on site, even if it was brief stay for the Year 6 Graduation Dinner was a real treat.

I am sure, like many, you are doing all you can to ensure New South Wales can commence the school year in 2022 free from restrictions and limitations. I am really looking forward to a year where our community can be together, enjoying all that makes Kinross Wolaroi such a special place to belong.

Over the last few weeks as we planned Celebration, we were keen that despite our restrictions in terms of performing, we could still reflect what a happy and fruitful year it has been. We delight in working alongside each and every Kinross Wolaroi student, and barely a day goes by where our staff room is not buzzing with news of student learning.

Difficult times in a community can have two effects: either we become more inclined to act out of self-interest, or we can act out of a position of gratitude and open our hearts and minds to the needs of others. I should not be surprised that the Junior School community has definitely been the latter. It has been heartening to see how generous our families have been in our service for others in 2021. For example, just this week the students and teachers were overwhelmed with the kindness and other-person-centredness demonstrated as students have brought in food for the Uniting Church Hot Meals Outreach Program. I can imagine the faces and feelings of families, just like our own, when they open their box and realise how a special Kinross Wolaroi family, who they will never know, cares enough to bring joy to their Christmas. 

To our students, your teachers love the enthusiasm you bring to your learning and friendships. They love seeing your kindness and the effect this has on others and our School culture. This year, your teachers got a special insight into what makes you unique – when you learned at home, you revealed special gifts, interests, and ways you like to learn. Your teachers have noticed this and are keen to keep providing opportunities in 2022 for you to learn in ways that suit who you are. We hope this motivates and inspires you to continue to welcome challenges and strive for excellence. 

To our teachers, I would like to especially acknowledge your work this year. The hallmarks of a great teacher are agility and responsiveness, compassion, and commitment. Each of you personify this. Our entire community appreciates and respects you. You have upheld each other and worked for the good of our lovely students and their families. I am in awe of you. 

Finally, I would like to thank the School Council and our Principal, Dr Parry, for their wise stewardship and support of our School in 2021. I pray everyone in the Kinross Wolaroi community enjoys the rest and recreation of the summer break and the joy of Christmas.

Kinross Students Making Their Mark

ICAS Assessments Results 2021

The International Competitions and Assessment for Schools (ICAS) are independent, skill-based competitions provided by the Educational Assessment Australia (EAA) working from the University of NSW. Students at Kinross Wolaroi have the opportunity each year to nominate if they would like to participate. The ICAS series is designed to assess content knowledge, higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills. ICAS is designed to recognize and reward academic excellence.

This week a group of students who participated in the ICAS Competitions were presented with certificates to acknowledge their achievement. 

In the Mathematics Competition 25 students participated and were awarded 1 Distinction – Year 4: Zaro Jalal, 8 Credits – Year 3: Prayan Dulal, Benjamin Howe, Joshua Leung, Year 4: Amelia McGee, Vivian Meates, Year 6: David King, Percy Meates and Georgia Philippe, 4 Merits and 12 Participations.

In the Science Competition 13 students participated and were awarded 4 Credits – Year 3: Benjamin Howe, Year 4: Zaro Jalal, Year 6: Austin Cutter and Percy Meates, 1 Merits and 8 Participations.

In the Spelling Bee Competition 23 students participated and were awarded 1 High Distinction – Year 3: Joshua Leung, 2 Distinctions – Year 4: Zaro Jalal and Year 5: Georgie Simpson, 7 Credits: – Year 4 Andrew Bell, Henry Brannigan, Janette Proudford-Nalder, Year 5: Aurora Everett, Jude Jansen, Year 6: Lily Moe and Georgia Philippe, 4 Merits and 9 Participations.

In the English Competition 21 students participated and were awarded 1 Distinction – Year 4: Zaro Jalal, 8 Credits – Year 3: Daniel Hayward, Year 4: Cassandra Philippe, Janette Proudford-Nalder, Year: 5 Harriet Boyd, Georgie Simpson, Year 6: Percy Meates, Lily Moe and Georgia Philippe, 3 Merits and 9 Participations.

In the Writing Competition 17 students participated and were awarded 1 Distinction – Year 6: Georgia Philippe, 6 Credits – Year 4: Samuel Adetifa, Zaro Jalal, Cassandra Philippe, Janette Proudford-Nalder, Year 5: Harriet Boyd, Year 6: Lily Moe, 1 Merit and 9 Participations.

Newcastle Permanent Primary School Mathematics Competition 

The aim of the competition is to encourage mathematically talented children. The competition aims to encourage the broad and in-depth coverage of the K-6 Mathematics Curriculum, stimulate community, student, parent, and teacher interest in mathematics, recognise academic excellence amongst senior primary students, and provide diagnostic information to aid the teaching and learning of mathematics. 

Despite the disruption caused by Covid, the Newcastle Permanent Primary School Mathematics Competition was conducted in 2021. This was the 41st consecutive year in which the competition has taken place. Continued COVID lockdowns in NSW postponed the competition twice. With an unknown date on return to face-to-face learning for the majority of entered schools, the decision was made to hold the exam via an online platform to enable at-home students to sit for the competition.

KWS entered a number of 6 students, many who achieved at a high level: 

Distinction: Matthew Lowther, David King, Percy Meates, Lily Moe, Maxwell Horne, Hamish Searle 

Merit: Angelina McRae, Georgia Philippe, Jack Dale, Audrey Blyth, Thomas Nelson, Ashton Montagliani, Oscar Zielinski, Tom Mason, Isabella Vangestel, Keeley O’Toole, Eva Smedley