Around the Senior School

Visual Arts Tour of Italy

In the Term 1 holidays, 23 students from Years 9 to 12, accompanied by four staff, travelled to Italy for the Visual Arts Tour. Passionate Art students were fortunate to visit Rome, Siena, San Gimignano, Florence and Bologna, finishing the trip in Venice. It was a very busy two weeks with about 218,000 steps by the group. 

With visits to the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, The Colosseum, The Vatican and Sistine Chapel, Uffizi Gallery, Neptune’s Fountain and many other smaller galleries, a great deal of art was admired. Students were in awe of the magnificent frescos in the galleries and were able to be in the presence of famous Italian artworks such as David by Michelangelo and Primavera by Botticelli, as well as Peggy Guggenheim’s art collections. 

There was also time made in the itinerary to be hands-on, with two cooking classes at which students were taught how to make tagliatelle and tortelli from scratch, a skill that I’m sure will be fine-tuned now that we’re home! Students participated in a paper marbling workshop as well as a watercolour painting class en plein air (outdoors). 

Of course, in addition to seeing and making their own art, students experienced the deliciousness of the Italian cuisine. Pizza and pasta were regularly the food of choice, with caprese salads, tiramisu and paninis when students were feeling more adventurous. The famous deep-fried artichoke is still yet to be a crowd pleaser, but many gave it a go. 

The touring group were lucky to be in Florence for the 900-year old traditional Florentine Easter with a parade and ‘Lo Scoppio del Carro’, or the Explosion of the Cart. Standing amongst thousands of people awaiting the celebrations was a special experience and one that we won’t forget. The Easter Bunny also found students in Florence and left some chocolate goodies in the hostel courtyard; some showing their competitiveness more than others!

Florence’s street markets really left their mark on the students with many gifts purchased for those at home. Whilst there were many thoughtful gifts, there were some that were significantly over paid for, thus the lesson in bartering was learned! 

Siena was a favourite of the group as we visited after the hustle and bustle of Rome. It was lovely to experience a slower pace and witness the gorgeousness of sunset over the village. 

Another highlight was arriving in Venice on the high-speed train and being transported by a private boat transfer to our hostel. 

Many fond memories were made, and friendships were forged during this unique opportunity available to our students. The Kinross Wolaroi students represented themselves and the school well whilst overseas and are to be congratulated for being a wonderful tour group. 

Mr William Waterson, 

Academic Staff

History Futures Excursion 

On Thursday 1 May, 15 of our senior History students attended the Orange Regional Museum’s inaugural History Futures day. The aim of the day was to showcase different pathways and careers for students interested in history, humanities and the arts. The visit provided students with opportunities to hear from three working historians about their education and their careers. Through a source analysis activity, they were encouraged to create profiles based on investigating people’s rubbish. Students were able to have a guided tour with Matt Poll of the Mariw Minarai exhibition in the Orange Regional Museum and to gain insight into the behind-the-scenes work of a curator at a museum.  Students also participated in learning activities in the Orange City Library.

Year 9 Poetry Anthology

Please find attached at the link below a collection of a task set by Mrs Serena Lewis for her Year 9 English class at the end of a unit on poetry. All her students created a mood board and poem on a theme they felt passionate about or connected to, and this was compiled into an anthology and shared it with parents. Congratulations to all students who contributed to this publication.

Anderson Centre Foyer Cafe

If you’re looking for a warm start to your day, we’ve got just the thing. Our student-run coffee station is open every morning from 8:00 to 8:45 in the Anderson Foyer, right through the first set of double doors.

We’re serving a full menu of drinks, made fresh each day by our team. You’ll find all the caffeinated classics: lattes, flat whites, cappuccinos, mochas, long blacks, and espressos — and we’re always looking to expand. We’re open to experimenting and trying out new ideas, so if there’s a drink you love or one you want us to test out, let us know.

If coffee’s not your thing, don’t worry — we’ve got hot chocolates, a range of herbal teas, and many other things to offer.

We also offer a small but growing range of flavour options to add to your drinks — caramel syrup, vanilla syrup, and even matcha for those keeping up with the trends. Whether you’re going for something bold or sweet, we can make it your way.

And when it comes to milk, we’ve made sure there’s something for everyone. You can choose from full cream, skim, soy, almond, oat, or lactose-free — all included, no extra charges.

Every drink is just four dollars, no matter what you order or how you customise it. That includes the flavours, the milk alternatives — everything. 

We accept both EFTPOS and cash, so however you roll in the morning, we’ve got you covered.

The coffee station is open to all students, and staff. 

It’s not just about the drinks — it’s a space we’re building together. Every dollar goes straight back into the setup, helping us invest in furniture, equipment, and making the area more welcoming for everyone.

So, whether you’re into strong coffee, sweet flavours, tea, or even matcha — we’d love to see you down in the foyer. Bring a mate, try something new, or just stop by and say hello.

Thanks for your support, and we hope to see you there — same place, same time, every morning.

Ashton, Year 11

Winners of the Central West Heat for the Kids' Lit Quiz

Sixteen students from Year 6 to Year 8 represented Kinross Wolaroi at the Central West Heat for the Kids’ Lit Quiz at James Sheahan Catholic High School on Tuesday 6 May. 

Kids' Lit is an annual literature quiz for students aged 10-13 years. Quizzes are held in many countries around the world. Students were faced with 10 categories (Pirates, Plants, Pot Luck, Prisons and Prisoners, Queens, Questions in Title, Roald Dahl, Round and Round, Sea Animals and Science) with ten questions in each category. There were four students in each team and students could choose one category as their double points round. Many teams chose the Roald Dahl category as their double points round but were then faced with some curly questions eg What does RSPCC stand for in the Witches (Answer: Royal Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) but other questions were widely known as the relationship between Miss Trunchbull and Miss Honey in Matilda. (Answer: Miss Trunchbull is Miss Honey’s Aunt).

If a team won a round, they were all able to choose a book prize. Every student from Kinross Wolaroi went home with a book! At the end of each round, there would be an individual competition and Brooke Howard was lucky enough to win the first $5 for her knowledge of the author, Nancy Springer.

One of our teams, comprising Claire Gordon, Olive McLaurin, Nick Strahorn and Joshua Westcott, won the Central West Heat and are now headed to Sydney to compete in the National Final on Monday June 2.

Another of our teams placed second and each received a $25 voucher to spend at Collins Bookstore: Melanie Davies, Daniel Hayward, Brooke Howard and Amelia Wood. 

Congratulations to all our students who represented the School at the Central West Heat for the Kids’ Lit Quiz

• Evie Butchard 
• Mikhaela Coutts 
• Melanie Davies
• Claire Gordon
• Lizzie Harris
• Grace Harvey
• Daniel Hayward
• Brooke Howard
• Sophia Martin
• Olive McLaurin
• Milly McLennan
• Finlay Simpson
• Nick Strahorn
• Leopold Wade
• Joshua Westcott
• Amelia Wood